In the case of Madhu Bala v. Suresh Kumar (1997), the Supreme Court of India held that:

A. A police officer, incharge of the police station is bound to register an First information Report (FIR) in respect of a cognizable offence

B. A police officer when faced with a dilemma with respect to a complaint alleging commission of cognizable and non-cognizable offence must register an First information Report (FIR)

C. Whenever a magistrate directs an investigation on a complaint, the police has to register a cognizable case on that complaint treating the same as the First information Report (FIR) and investigate into the same

D. A police officer must investigate a complaint alleging commission of a cognizable and non-cognizable offence only after a direction is issued by the magistrate

Answer: Option C