Question

Murder is a ...................

• A. Cognizable offence
• B. Non-cognizable offence
• C. Compoundable offence
• D. None of the above

Hint:

A simple rule of thumb: the more serious the crime (murder, rape, robbery), the more likely it is to be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Less serious crimes (simple hurt, defamation) are often non-cognizable, bailable, and sometimes compoundable.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding Criminal Offence Classifications
The question asks to classify the crime of murder according to the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Step 2: Defining the Classifications


(A) Cognizable offence: An offence for which a police officer may arrest a person without a warrant. These are generally serious offences.
(B) Non-cognizable offence: An offence for which a police officer cannot arrest without a warrant. These are generally less serious offences. The police can only investigate after obtaining permission from a magistrate.
(C) Compoundable offence: An offence where the victim (the person who filed the complaint) can enter into a compromise with the accused and agree to drop the charges. Murder is a crime against the state, not just an individual, and cannot be compromised.

Step 3: Classifying Murder
Murder is one of the most serious crimes under the Indian Penal Code. Due to its severity, it is classified as a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence. A police officer can, and must, arrest a person suspected of committing murder without a warrant.

Step 4: Final Answer
Murder is a cognizable offence. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.