Rights of An Arrested Person
Rights of An Arrested Person
Rights of An Arrested Person
INTRODUCTION
The legal system in India is established on the platform of “innocent till proven guilty”.
An unlawful arrest of an individual can be a violation of Article- 21 of the Indian
Constitution that states, “no human shall be denied of his right to life and personal.
liberty except if established by law” which means that the process must be fair, clear and
not arbitrarily or oppressive.1
The code has not defined the term arrest. The term arrest means apprehension of a person.
by legal authority to cause deprivation of liberty. As per Legal Dictionary by Farlex,
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
Arrest means a seizure or forcible restraint; an exercise of the power to deprive a person.
of his or her liberty; the taking or keeping of a person in custody by legal authority,
especially, in response to a criminal charge.
In R.R. Chari v. State of Uttar Pradesh, the apex court defined arrest as the act of being.
taken into custody to be formally charged with a crime. The court observed that in a
Constitutional sense, it means the seizure of a person (body of a person)
In State of Punjab v. Ajaib Singh, the court observed that arrest is the physical restraint put.
upon an abducted person in the process of recovering and taking that person into legal
custody with or without any allegation or accusation of any actual or suspected.
commission of the offence.
The elements necessary to constitute arrest were summarized by the Madras High Court in
Roshan Beevi v. Joint Secy. To the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. The vital elements required to
institute arrest is:
1. There must be an intent to arrest under legal authority.
2. There must be seizure or detention of the person,
3. The person must be in the lawful custody of the arresting person and
4. The act of arrest must include the actual confining of the person and not mere oral.
declaration of arrest.2
India had been fighting for basic human rights and civil liberties with Britishers in order.
to win the battle for freedom. Now, since the beginning and existence of a civilized
society human race has always been conscious of justice and has frowned at efforts to.
intervene with individual Liberty and dignity. The Indian Constitution has provided for.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
basic rights to all individuals, which includes accused/arrested persons. These rights and
safeguards are assumed to be followed by authorities in the process of criminal justice.
administration. Article 21, is one of the most crucial provisions by the Indian
Constitution, no person can be deprived of his life and liberty except in accordance with
law.
Articles 20 and 22, lay down the procedures to be followed, which if stand to be violated,
would result in deprivation of personal liberty.
Article 20
Article 20 of the Indian Constitution basically provides for three kinds of protection/
safeguards to an arrested/accused person.
1. Protection against ex-post facto law A.20(1)
2. Guarantee against double jeopardy A.20(2)
3. Privilege against self-incrimination A.20(3)
Article 22
Article 22 deals with two separate matters
1. Persons arrested under the ordinary law of crimes and,
2. Persons detained under the law of “preventive detention.”
The clauses enshrined within article 22 guarantees four rights on a person who is
arrested.
for any offence under an ordinary law :
a. The right to be informed “as soon as may be” of the ground of arrest.
b. The right to consult and to be represented by a lawyer of his own choice.
c. The right to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.
d. The freedom from detention beyond the said period except by the order of the
magistrate.
The rights specifically mentioned in article 22 clause (1) and (2) are guaranteed to.
arrested persons who may be citizens or non-citizens and not to persons arrested and
detained under any law that provides for preventive detention.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
Article 39-A
The state is under a constitutional mandate (implicit in Article 21 of the constitution,
explicit in Article 39-A of the constitution-a directive principle) to provide free legal
aid.
to an indigent accused person. In Khatri (II) V. State of Bihar (1981) 1 SCC 627: 1981
SCC (Cri) 228, the Supreme Court has held that the State is under a constitutional
mandate to provide free legal aid to an indigent accused person, and that their
constitutional obligation to provide legal aid does not arise only when the trial
commences.
but also, when the accused is for the first time produced before the Magistrate as also.
when he is remanded from time to time. However, this constitutional right of an
indigent
accused to get free legal aid may prove to be illusory unless he is produced before.
promptly and duly informed about it by the court when he is produced before it. The
Supreme Court has therefore cast a duty on all Magistrate and courts to inform the
indigent accused about his right to get free legal aid.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
grounds for his arrest . This is a 3 precious right which has been upheld
and recognized by our Indian Constitution as one of the fundamental
rights. Timely information of the grounds of arrest, serves the arrested
person in many crucial ways. Other than the fact that it provides with an
opportunity to remove any kind of misunderstanding or misapprehension
in his mind, it also enables him to apply for bail or for a writ of habeas
corpus, or to make any other expeditious arrangements for his defense.
The rules emerging from decisions such as Joginder Kumar vs State of
U.P (1994) 4 SCC 260, as well as D.K. Basu vs State of West Bengal
(1997) I SCC 416, under the head “Decision to arrest” , has been enacted
in section 50-A. This makes it obligatory on the part of the police officer
not only to inform the friend or relative of the arrested person but also to
make an entry in the register maintained by the police. It is essential to
note that this right is not dispensed with by offering to make bail to the
arrested person.
Every police officer arresting without a warrant, any person other than a
person accused of a non-bailable offence, is required to inform the person
arrested that he is entitled to be released on bail and that he may arrange
for sureties on his behalf .
In case of every arrest. Whether the arrest has been made with or without
a warrant, the person arresting is required, without unnecessary delay and
subject to the provisions regarding bail, to produce the arrested person
before the magistrate or court having jurisdiction in the case .
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
4. Right of not being detained for more than 24 hours without judicial
scrutiny.
Every person who is arrested has the right to be examined, soon after the
arrest, by a medical officer in the service of the Central or State
Governments . In the absence of such 7 a medical officer, the arrested
person shall be examined by a registered medical practitioner. The
medical officer shall prepare a record of such examination and shall
mention therein any such injury or arks of violence upon the person
arrested, and the approximate time such injuries may have been inflicted.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
Although the law is equal for everyone, and there should not be any
discrimination, there are still some exceptions. Women are often given
special treatment in the eyes of the law, as it is believed that women are
one of the members of the vulnerable groups of our society. They are not
physically as strong as men, and thus all the laws which are meant for
men cannot be applied as it is upon women.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
• When a female is arrested for a non-bailable offense, even if the crime
is severe, (punishable by the death penalty), the court can still release her
on bail. This special and pertinent right is mentioned under section 437
(1)(ii) of CRPC.
• The most important right which was mentioned under the case of Sheela
Bares v. State of Maharashtra [(1983) AIR 378] was that it is the duty of
the police officer who is making the arrest to keep the arrested woman in
a separate lock-up in the police station. The male and female accused
should be kept separately in a different lockup to avoid the sexual
harassment of female inmates.
If the police officer does not abide by the above-mentioned rules, the
female can stop the officer right away and remind him about her
exclusive rights. She can complain against the police officer to the
Station House Officer (SHO), who is the in-charge of the police station.
1. A trial will not be void simply because the provisions relating to arrest
have not been fully complied with.
The Supreme Court has categorically ruled out in the Nilabati Behera
(1993) 2 SCC 746 case that victims of unlawful arrest and detention
have the right to compensation. It is noteworthy to mention here that
the provisions relating to arrest cannot be bypassed by alleging that
there was no arrest but a mere informal detention. Even informal
detention or any kind of restraint by police is no authorized by law .
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
(4) In respect of non-bailable-cognizable offences punishable with
more than seven years imprisonment, no change is proposed in the
existing law.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)
The powers conferred in the hands of police authorities may lead
to their misuse, therefore, a well thought provision (to provide
rights to an arrested person) was carved out . A well-known saying
that “with great power comes great responsibility” has a universal
applicability. In even in such cases, its application holds
considerable value. Power in the hands of any corrupted person
will always lead to its exploitation. Scrutinizing and keeping a
check on such powers is an absolute must.
1-https://www.helplinelaw.com/employment-criminal-and-labour/RAPI/rights-of-an-arrested-person-
in- 1 india.html
2-Arrest and Rights of arrested person (legalserviceindia.com)
3 Section 50, 55 & 75 od C.R.P.C
4 Section 50(2) of C.R.P.C
5 Section 56 and 76 of C.R.P.C
6 D.G. and I.G. of police vs. Prem Sagar (1999) 5 SCC 700
7 Section 54(1) by amendment act, 2008
8 R.V.Kelkar’s lectures on criminal procedure p. 42
9 As held in Muhammed Suleman vs. King Emperor (1925-26) 30 CWN 985
10 d317r39.pdf (gjar.org)