A complaint case under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is a legal process where a victim or aggrieved person directly approaches a Magistrate to initiate criminal proceedings, usually when police refuse to register an FIR.The step-by-step procedure for a complaint case is outlined below:1. Filing the Complaint (Section 210 BNSS)A formal allegation is submitted to the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate, either orally or in writing.It must contain the facts of the offense, names of the accused (if known), and the details of witnesses.2. Opportunity to be Heard (Section 223 BNSS)A significant new mandate under the BNSS requires the Magistrate to issue notice to the accused and provide them an opportunity to be heard before taking cognizance of the offense.3. Examination of Complainant (Section 223 BNSS)The Magistrate examines the complainant and any witnesses present on oath, and the details are reduced to writing and signed by the parties and the Magistrate.4. Inquiry or Investigation (Section 225 BNSS)To decide if there are sufficient grounds to proceed, the Magistrate may:Postpone the issue of process (summoning the accused).Conduct an inquiry themselves.Order the police or another person to investigate and submit a report.5. Issuance of Process (Section 227 BNSS)If the Magistrate finds sufficient ground and a prima facie case, they will issue process (summons or a warrant) to compel the accused to appear in court.If the court finds no sufficient ground, the complaint will be dismissed.