The word inquiry means to ask for information. And the word investigation means formal systematic research or study. Though the words mean a little similar, they have a very distinct meanings, especially in the official departments.
The police department, CBI, CID, FBI, and courts are the official departments that legally have the right to do an inquiry or investigation. And that’s where we will see the distinct differences between the two words.
Key Takeaways
- The inquiry seeks information and gathers facts to understand a particular situation or issue.
- An investigation examines and analyses evidence to determine the cause of a particular event or crime.
- Inquiry is less formal and less focused than investigation.
Inquiry vs Investigation
Inquiry means a process of asking for specific information to figure out the truth, or it is a legal process conducted by a court or the magistrate. Investigation is a systematic process of research to find evidence that points to the truth. Only authorized persons like the police can perform investigations.
An Inquiry is a proceeding conducted by the magistrate or court. It is aimed at determining the truth of the registered case. It is a judicial process to find out if the evidence submitted to the court related to the case is original or fake.
An investigation is a series of research studies or inquiries made to gather information and evidence against the accused.
It is the procedure to gather evidence and facts which is done by police authorities or departments like CBI, CID, etc. It is not judicial, which means not related to a judgment by the court.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Inquiry | Investigation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An inquiry is a process of asking for information to find out the truth. | An investigation is a systematic procedure of research studies to gather evidence. |
| Aim | The aim of the inquiry is to determine the truth, to know if the allegations are true or not. | The aim of the investigation is to collect facts and evidence. |
| Conducted by | A magistrate or court conducts an inquiry. | A magistrate-authorized person conducts an investigation like a police officer. |
| Stage | An inquiry is the second stage in a case. | An investigation is the first stage in a case. |
| Nature of Process | An inquiry can be a judicial or non-judicial process. | An investigation is a non-judicial process. It is an administrative process. |
What is Inquiry?
An inquiry is a legal process conducted by a magistrate or court. An inquiry is never conducted by anyone else other than a magistrate or court.
The rule of inquiry is mentioned in Section 2(g) of the criminal procedure code, 1973. It states that every inquiry other than a trial has to be conducted by a Magistrate or Court.
The main objective of the inquiry is to find out the truth about the case and whether the information inquiry determines if the allegations are falsified or not.
It can be a judicial process or a non-judicial process. An inquiry is commenced when a charge sheet is filed. It is the second stage in a case. When an inquiry is made, the trial is initiated.
Indeed, Section 159 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, explains that to make an inquiry, an order is given by the magistrate or Court.
This preliminary inquiry is made in order to know whether the offence has been committed. And if that’s the case, how many people are involved, and who are they?
An inquiry helps to understand the nature of the crime. The inquiry helps to extract information from the case filed to help prove the offence.
What is Investigation?
An investigation is a systematic procedure of research study to gain evidence and facts. An authorized person of law does an investigation. The magistrate or court, such as a police officer, authorizes the person.
According to Section 2 (g) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the work of the police officer is an investigation. An investigation is the very first stage of a case which is commenced when an FIR or complaint is lodged.
An investigation is a non-judicial process, and it is an administrative procedure. The main objective of an investigation is to collect facts and evidence to determine if there is enough evidence to put the accused on trial and file a charge sheet.
An investigation involves searching, interviews, and collecting evidence, which is then used to inform criminal trials. Legally authorized people do the investigation, but there are also private investigators.
Criminal investigation is a concept that goes way back to 1700 BCE. The first mention was in the writings of the Code of Hammurabi, according to which the accuser and the accused both have the right to present the evidence from their side.
Main Differences Between Inquiry And Investigation
- An inquiry is conducted by a magistrate or court, while on the other hand, an investigation is conducted by a person authorized by the court, like a police officer.
- An inquiry can be a judicial or non-judicial process. An investigation is an administrative process, a non-judicial process.
- The inquiry aims to determine the truth, to know if the allegations are true or not. The aim of the investigation is to collect facts, evidence, and people from testifying.
- An inquiry is commenced when a charge sheet is filed, while an investigation takes place when an FIR or complaint has been lodged.
- An inquiry is the second stage in a case, the investigation being the first stage.
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/cd2b9d441604a1285e33f7c6841bd280/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=40590
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10584600701807752
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2334-4822.2008.tb00499.x
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
The references provided at the end of the article offer additional resources for further reading and research.
The historical context of criminal investigation mentioned is a valuable addition to the article, shedding light on the origins of this concept.
I appreciate how the article clarifies the nature of inquiries and investigations, especially with regards to the stages in a case.
The article is insightful and provides a clear distinction between inquiry and investigation. The research-backed comparisons make it an excellent source of information.
I completely agree, the procedural insights have been explained with great precision.
The article’s comparison table serves as a helpful summary of the key differences between inquiries and investigations.
The legal and procedural differences outlined in the article are very informative and valuable for understanding these terms in depth.
The article provides a comprehensive explanation of the differences between inquiry and investigation. It is a well-researched piece.
The article effectively outlines the roles of authorized individuals, such as magistrates and police officers, in conducting inquiries and investigations.
The distinctions between the aims of inquiry and investigation, as detailed in the article, highlight the critical differences in their approaches and objectives.