The official text
Old and new, side by side
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Section 140 Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc
(1) Where the Magistrate directs a local investigation by any person under section 139, the Magistrate may—
(a) furnish such person with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance;
(b) declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the local investigation shall be paid.
(2) The report of such person may be read as evidence in the case.
(3) Where the Magistrate summons and examines an expert under section 139, the Magistrate may direct by whom the costs of such summoning and examination shall be paid.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Section 159 Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc
(1) Where the Magistrate directs a local investigation by any person under section 158, the Magistrate may—
(a) furnish such person with such written instructions as may seem necessary for his guidance;
(b) declare by whom the whole or any part of the necessary expenses of the local investigation shall be paid.
(2) The report of such person may be read as evidence in the case.
(3) Where the Magistrate summons and examines an expert under section 158, the Magistrate may direct by whom the costs of such summoning and examination shall be paid.
The texts are India Code’s. The amendment markers and footnotes of the official print are left out, so the old section reads as it stood when it was repealed; State amendments are not shown. The PDFs linked below carry the full history.