43Officers competent to investigate offence under Chapters IV and VI.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, no police officer,--
(a) in the case of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, constituted under sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946), below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police or a police officer of equivalent rank;
(b) in the metropolitan areas of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad and any other metropolitan area notified as such under sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Code, below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police;
¹[(ba) in the case of National Investigation Agency, below the rank of Inspector];
(c) in any case not relatable to clause (a) ¹[or clause (ba)], below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police or a police officer of an equivalent rank,
Shall investigate any offence punishable under Chapter IV or VI.