Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
The head of the village, on receiving information of the discovery of the body of a person supposed to have been murdered, shall immediately proceed to the spot with the Karnam and two or three respectable inhabitants, in whose presence he shall examine every person who may be able to afford any information regarding the discovery of the body and its appearance when discovered, or regarding the murder of the deceased, if the body should have been deprived of life by murder. Notice of such discovery to Police-officer.- Second The head of the village on receiving information of the discovery shall also, without delay, send notice of it to the Police-officer of the district and, if the Police-officer shall arrive at the spot in time to inquire into the circumstances under which the body may have been discovered, the inquiry shall be conducted under his superintendence. Procedure where Police-officer fails to appear to conduct inquiry Third.- If the Police-officer should not appear to conduct the inquiry, the head of the village shall cause the Karnam to take down in writing the evidence of the persons who may be examined, and to record any necessary particulars respecting the appearance of the body, and to frame a report of the whole proceedings. The head of the village shall attest such report with his signature, and, having procured it to be attested by two or more of the inhabitants who may be present at the investigation and by the Karnam, he shall forward it to the Police-officer of the district with the evidence he may have taken. Apprehension of person suspected of murder.- Fourth If on the proceedings of the head of the village there shall in any case appear ground for suspecting any person or persons who may be within his jurisdiction of having committed the murder, the head of the village shall immediately apprehend and send such person or persons to the Police-officer of the district.