How is a non-cognizable offense investigated?

• A. Arrest without warrant.
• B. Investigated by a private party.
• C. Requires a warrant or magistrate's order; police cannot arrest without such authority.
• D. Investigated only after conviction.

Answer: (C)

Non-cognizable offenses are treated as situations where the police do not have authority to arrest without a warrant and cannot start an investigation without a magistrate’s order. Because of that, any formal investigation hinges on a magistrate authorizing it or issuing a warrant. In practice, the police may only proceed to investigate if a magistrate directs them to do so (or issues a warrant). This is why the correct statement is that it requires a warrant or magistrate’s order and that the police cannot arrest without such authority. The other options don’t fit: arrest without a warrant isn’t allowed for non-cognizable offenses; private parties do not independently conduct official investigations; and investigation does not occur only after conviction.