Reviewed case brief

CREF Finance Ltd. v. Shree Shanthi Homes (P) Ltd.

(2005) 7 SCC 467

Authority clarifying the concept of "taking cognizance" — that cognizance is of the offence, not the offender.

cognizancemagistrate-powersS.228-BNSStaking-cognizancesem-5
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
2005
Subjects
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
Reviewed
2026-06-30

Rule established

A Magistrate takes cognizance of an offence and not of an offender. Cognizance is taken at the point when the Magistrate applies mind to the allegations in a complaint/police report and decides to proceed.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        SCC

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.