A criminal case does not always begin with a person being arrested or brought before a court. Sometimes, it begins when a complaint reaches a Magistrate. At that point, the Magistrate must decide whether the matter needs legal attention and whether the law allows the court to proceed. This step is known as taking cognizance of an offence. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which came into force on 1 July 2024, explains this process and the powers of Magistrates. The rules are important because a complaint should not be ignored without reason, but neither should a person face criminal proceedings without proper legal checks. The first decision can shape the rest of the case.