of an offence which he is empowered under Section 156 to investigate, he shall forthwith send a report of the same to the Magistrate empowered to take cognisance of the offence. Further, he shall proceed in person or depute any of his subordinate officers to proceed to the spot to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and if necessary, to take measures for discovery and arrest the offender. Such report is in the nature of a preliminary report. As per Section 169 of the Code, if it appears to the officer in-charge of the police station that there is not sufficient evidence or reasonable ground of suspicion to justify forwarding the accused to the Magistrate, then the officer shall release the person if he is in custody on his executing a bond, with or without sureties, with a direction to Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No. 1074 of 2017 & Ors. Page 3 of 38such person to appear if and when so required, before the Magistrate empowered to take cognisance of the offence from the