- The police possess statutory powers under criminal procedure law to conduct further investigation even after filing a final report (chargesheet or closure report) before the court. - Judicial oversight exists, but explicit prior court permission is not mandatory for initiating further investigation, though the court must be informed of any subsequent findings or supplementary reports. - This mechanism ensures that vital evidence surfacing after the initial filing of a chargesheet can still be legally investigated and brought on record to serve the ends of justice. - **Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC):** The erstwhile procedural law regulating criminal administration in India, under which Section 173(8) governed the police power to conduct further investigations after filing a final report. - **Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):** The new criminal procedure code replacing the CrPC, featuring explicit statutory provisions like Section 193(9) regulating the procedure and judicial oversight for further investigations. **Introduction** The article examines the legal provisions and judicial precedents regarding whether the police require prior court permission to conduct 'further investigation' after submitting a final report (chargesheet or closure report) under criminal procedure laws. It highlights the statutory powers of investigating agencies and the supervisory role of the judiciary. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The police possess statutory powers under criminal procedure law to conduct further investigation even after filing a final report (chargesheet or closure report) before the court. - Judicial oversight exists, but explicit prior court permission is not mandatory for initiating further investigation, though the court must be informed of any subsequent findings or supplementary reports. - This mechanism ensures that vital evidence surfacing after the initial filing of a chargesheet can still be legally investigated and brought on record to serve the ends of justice. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC):** The erstwhile procedural law regulating criminal administration in India, under which Section 173(8) governed the police power to conduct further investigations after filing a final report. - **Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS):** The new criminal procedure code replacing the CrPC, featuring explicit statutory provisions like Section 193(9) regulating the procedure and judicial oversight for further investigations.