Charge Sheet, Final Report and Naraji Petition in Bangladesh: What Happens After the Investigation

In this guide: Common grounds for a final report · Naraji petition: for the complainant · After a charge sheet: for the accused · Compensation for a false case

The short answer

Under section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the investigating officer ends an investigation with a police report to the Magistrate. If the evidence supports the accusation, it is a charge sheet naming the accused and the sections. If not, it is a final report recommending discharge. Since the 2026 amendment, section 173B sets 60 working days from receipt of the information to complete the investigation, extendable by the Magistrate on reasons; section 173A lets the court discharge an accused early on an interim report that shows no evidence.

Neither report decides the case. The Magistrate can accept it, reject it, or order more investigation.

Common grounds for a final report

Final report classifications come from the Police Regulations, Bengal (regulation 275), not from the CrPC itself. Common grounds for a final report include:

Naraji petition: for the complainant

A naraji (objection) petition asks the Magistrate not to accept the final report, or to add accused the charge sheet left out. Attach the reasons: witnesses not examined, documents ignored, or bias in the investigation. The court may then:

• order further investigation, often by another agency such as the CID or PBI;
• hold a judicial inquiry; or
• take cognizance directly on the record and issue process.

File the naraji promptly once you get notice of the final report; delay weakens it.

After a charge sheet: for the accused

• Bail: apply again, especially if the charge sheet dropped the serious sections.
• Discharge: at the charge-framing hearing, apply for discharge under section 241A (Magistrate) or 265C (Sessions) if the record shows no ground.
• Quashing: where the case is an abuse of process, the High Court Division can quash it under section 561A.
• Naraji against you: if the complainant objects to a final report, you may be heard before the court acts on it.

Compensation for a false case

Under the amended section 250, in a case triable by a Magistrate that ends in discharge or acquittal, the Magistrate can order the complainant or informant to pay the accused compensation if:

• the court finds the accusation false and either frivolous or vexatious;
• the complainant or informant has been given a chance to show cause; and
• the court records its reasons.

Once those conditions are met, compensation must be ordered. The Magistrate fixes the amount, up to a maximum of Tk 50,000 (Tk 25,000 for a third-class Magistrate). A final report alone does not entitle anyone to compensation. A separate prosecution for a false charge is also possible.