Yes, a magistrate can order the police to investigate a cognizable offence under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

This is a discretionary power of the magistrate,

who must apply their mind to the facts of the case before issuing such a direction,

and the complainant typically should have attempted to approach the police first under Section 154 or 154(3) of the CrPC.

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