Preliminary inquiry in certain cases

256[196B. In the case of any offence in respect of which the provisions of section 196 or section 196A apply, 257[ 258[***] a District Magistrate may, notwithstanding anything contained in those sections or in any other part of this Code, order a preliminary investigation by a police-officer not being below the rank of Inspector, in which case such police-officer shall have the powers referred to in section 155, sub-section (3).]