¹[173B.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Code, every investigation under this Chapter shall be completed within sixty working days from the date of receipt of the information relating to the offence.

(2) Where, for reasonable cause, the investigation cannot be completed within the period specified in sub-section (1), the investigating officer shall record the reasons for such delay in the case diary, apply to the Magistrate for extension of time stating the specific grounds and the additional time required, and forward a copy of such application to the superior officer supervising the investigation.

(3) Upon consideration of the application made under sub-section (2), the Magistrate may, by order, extend the time for investigation as may be deemed reasonable, and the investigating officer shall conclude the investigation within the extended time.

(4) Where the investigation is not completed within the time so extended under sub-section (3), the investigating officer shall, upon expiry of such period, report the reasons in writing to the Magistrate and send a copy thereof to the superior officer supervising the investigation.

(5) Upon consideration of the explanation submitted under sub-section (4), or where no such explanation is submitted by the investigating officer, the Magistrate may-

(a) direct that the investigation be conducted by another officer;

(b) treat such delay as incompetence or misconduct on the part of the investigating officer, cause a note thereof to be recorded in the officer's Annual Confidential Report, and direct the appropriate authority to take action in accordance with the relevant service rules.

(6) If, upon submission of the investigation report, the Court is satisfied, having regard to the materials on record, that any person named as an accused ought, in the interest of justice, to be treated as a witness, the Court may pass an order to that effect, and such person shall be treated as a witness in the case.

(7) If, upon conclusion of the trial, the Court finds that the investigating officer either negligently or with intent to protect any person from criminal liability-

(i) failed to collect or consider any admissible evidence;

(ii) treated any person as a witness who ought to have been made an accused; or

(iii) failed to examine a material witness without justification, the Court may record a finding to that effect, treat such act or omission as misconduct or incompetence, and direct the controlling authority to take appropriate legal action against the officer in accordance with law.]