Monday, 07 Jun 2021 10:06 AM MYT Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates. JUNE 7 — An inquest is a proceeding under the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). It means an inquiry by a magistrate. The inquiry is to determine when, where, how and after what manner the deceased came by his death and also whether any person is criminally concerned in the cause of the death. Since inquest is a proceeding under the CPC, let’s briefly look at what it says on death while in police custody. Section 344 states when a person dies while in the custody of the police, the officer who had the custody of that person shall immediately give intimation of such death to the nearest magistrate, and the magistrate or some other magistrate shall hold an inquiry into the cause of death.