When someone is detained, they're granted the right to understand what
accusations are being filed against them as well as to stay quiet, refusing to
respond to questions or offer a statement. They also have a right to
representation by an attorney, including being able to consult with and have a
lawyer present during interrogation. They also have the right to be freed on
bond, unless there are strong reasons to reject it, as well as a fair and fast
trial before an unbiased judge and jury.
They also have the right to be treated
decently and respectfully, without torture or cruel treatment, and to provide
medical assistance if necessary. They also have the right to notify their family
members of their arrest and location, to contest the evidence provided against
them, to present a defense and summon evidence, as well as to cross-examine
witnesses presented by the prosecution. Finally, individuals have the
opportunity to appeal their judgment or punishment if required. These rights are
essential for a reasonable and equitable legal procedure for those who have been
arrested.
Introduction
Every person gets born given the right to life, the rights to personal liberty,
and numerous other characteristics. The Indian Constitution and the
International Covenant of Human Rights mutually uphold human rights. A person's
rights cannot be denied solely due to he or she is taken into custody. The
multitude of liberties of an arrested individual can be extrapolated from the
Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Constitution, and various other
historical decisions.
If a person is arrested, it is the responsibility of the
officer to inform the arrested person of what is the reason for the purpose of
the arrest. Article 22[1] guarantees the right to know the reasons for an
arrest. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, it has mentioned that
controls and the procedural concerns related to the arrest. The following
section describes the entire process of arresting a person who has committed an
offence.
Once identifying the justification of his arrest, the suspect will be
allowed to file for bail in an appropriate court or petition the High Court for
a writ of habeas corpus. The grounds of the arrest it must be communicated to
the arrested person as soon as possible. The police officer, private person,
magistrate have the authority to arrest the accused person. Magistrate will
issue the warrant. The imposition of the person can be restrain it should be
considered, it should be to an extent, as the recognition of the rights of the
arrested person.
[1] . Constitution of India, 1950.
Research Objective:
- Identify and compare the legal frameworks governing the rights of arrested persons in different countries or jurisdictions.
- Analyze the similarities and differences in the scope and limitations of arrested persons' rights across various legal systems.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to protecting the rights of arrested persons, such as adversarial versus inquisitorial systems.
- Investigate how cultural and socio-political contexts influence the recognition and protection of arrested persons' rights.
- Identify best practices and areas for improvement in the protection of arrested persons' rights through a comparative analysis of international standards and national laws.
Literature Review:
- R.V. KHELKAR'S, Criminal Procedure, 7th edition, Eastern Book Company.
- The brilliant book is the result of the genius mind of Mr. K.N. Chandrasekharan Pillai himself. The book in clear, concise, and simple language has woven in itself the Indian criminal law system and was monumental in the making of this project.
- C.K. Takwani, Criminal procedure, 8th edition, Eastern Book Company
Again a great book on criminal law, Takwani has succeeded to throw light upon
the dynamics of the system in a philosophical way that grips the reader and does
not narrate the system in a technical and jargonial tone but helps the reader to
relate it.
Research Hyphothesis:
The understanding of rights is an important step in exercising them. When arrested people are advised regarding their rights, they'll be more likely to comprehend their legal situation and claim them, such as the right to stay passive or the right to seek counsel. This hypothesis may be investigated by polls or conversations with detained people to see if they were aware of their rights as well as they used them.
- The concept contends that the existence of legal counsel throughout questioning is crucial to preventing false admissions. Legal assistance can guarantee that the detained individual is aware of his or her liberties and is not pressured into giving a false confession. This hypothesis may be investigated by analyzing case data to see if having legal counsel present during questioning lessens the incidence of false admissions.
- This theory suggests that the timeliness of legal counsel is important in deciding the result of criminal trials. Early representation can result in favorable results, such as shorter sentences or acquittals, because legal counsel can guarantee that the accused person's rights are safeguarded and that the case is fully prepared. This hypothesis may be evaluated using case data to see if earlier legal counsel results in better outcomes.
Research Questions:
- Can a Magistrate issue an arrest warrant against an accused involved in a cognizable offence case under Section 90, Cr.P.C?
- Can police arrest a woman at night?
How Arrest Made:
Section 46 of crpc states that:
Unless there is a written or oral yield to the jail, a police officer or any other individual influencing the arrest has to handle or confine the subject's entire body.
- A cop or any other individual may use any necessary force to secure the arrest of the person in question if the person aggressively refuses the attempt of having him caught or initiates an attempt at fleeing.
- Nothing in this section qualifies everyone to commit murder on an individual who was not indicted with an offence bearing the penalty of death or a life imprisonment.
- No woman may be detained between dawn and sunrise, unless there are extenuating reasons. In certain circumstances, the female police officer must obtain prior approval from the judicial magistrate of the first-class in the jurisdiction where the crime was committed or make the arrest using a written report.
Two Types Of An Arrested Person:
- Arrest with warrant:
A warrant is required to be issued when an individual commits a violation in
which court is no potential for arrest. Without a warrant, the police lack
the authority to make this kind of arrest. A judge or magistrate issued the
warrant on the state's behalf. Any of these actions, among them a capture or
possession of a person's property, are permitted by an arrest warrant. When
a person may be arrested without any warrant is specified in Section 41(1)
under the CrPC, 1973.
A person cannot be imprisoned without an
arrest warrant and an order by a court in the case of a non-cognizable offence
and when a complaint has been filed, pursuant to Section 41(2) of the CrPC,
1973, pursuant to the condition provided for in Section 42. Section 46 of the
Criminal Code contains an accounting of the procedures that need to be performed
while conducting an arrest. The instructions that are provided in various
instances are followed although this Code fails to encompass all the methods.
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- Arrest without warrant:
When a police officer obtains the necessary authorization to make an arrest
without a warrant, this usually happens. Only those who are suspected of an imprisonable offence are qualified to receive it.
Several justifications are given in Section 41(1) of the CrPC for making an
arrest without a warrant. When a cognizable offence occurs, an acceptable
complaint is filed, or accurate information is gathered, it is frequently done.
In the US, an immediate submission of probable cause is still required to make
an arrest without a warrant.
Right Of An Arrested Person:
The benefit of the presumption of innocence of the accused person until the time
he is found guilty at the time of ending of a trail substantiated with evidence
is one of the basic tenets of our legal system. It is a characteristic of our
democratic society that even the rights of the accused person are deemed to be
introspected and sacrosanct, and even though he is charged with an offense
however that does not render him as inhuman or a non-person. Our statue is quite
careful towards anyone's and hence without any cruel intentions it doesn't
permit the detention of any person without proper legal sanction.
The 21st article of the Indian Constitutional provides that everybody is
entitled to be deprived of their livelihood or freedom of choice without their
pursue the legal steps stipulated in the Indian Constitution. This article's
procedures must be followed in a "right, just, and fair" manner, not in any
arbitrary, creative, or oppressive way. It is assumed that the arrest would be
both lawful and justifiable. Even India's constitution acknowledges a detained
person's rights under the country's basic rights law.
As a result, the accused is entitled to certain protections throughout any
investigation, inquiry, or trial related to the crime with which he is charged,
and should not be subjected to any type of arbitrary or unlawful detention. It
should be highlighted that no arrest may be made based only on information or
suspicion. No private individual is permitted to pursue and arrest a person on
the basis of the statement of another person, no matter how great the degree of
suspicion or how questionable it may be.
Historical Background/Evolution On Right Of An Arrested Person
The rights of an arrested person may be dated back to ancient societies, with
legal laws and safeguards for those in detention discovered in Babylon, Greece,
and Rome. However, it was not till the middle ages when the notion of proper
procedure and individual rights started to emerge. The Magna Carta, written in
1215, introduced the notion that individuals have rights that cannot be taken
away unilaterally by the monarch or state. This concept evolved over time, as
common law developed and habeas corpus was established to defend persons from
arbitrary incarceration.
Individual rights and freedoms were further developed throughout the 17th and
18th centuries. Individual rights, especially those in detention, were protected
by the English Bill of Rights (1689 CE), the United States Declaration of
Independence (1776 CE), and the Constitution (1787 CE). The protection of
imprisoned people's rights advanced significantly over the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries. The International Organization of the Red Cross was formed
in 1863 CE, and its Geneva Conventions (1949 CE) and Additional Protocols (1977
CE) established international norms for the treatment of captives and detainees.
The protection of arrested individuals' rights has advanced significantly in the
modern age, with the introduction of the United Nations Universal Declaration of
the Human Rights in 1948 and the UN Declaration on Political and Civil Rights in
1966. These agreements created the right to a fair trial, an assumption of
youth, and the prohibition on torture and mistreatment. National authorities
have also implemented rules and regulations to safeguard the rights of those
arrested, such as the Miranda Warning in the US as well as the Police and
Criminal Evidence Act in the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Throughout history, individual and communal efforts against arbitrary authority
and abuse have defined the safeguarding of jailed persons' rights. Global law
enforcement agencies prioritize the rights of imprisoned individuals, with
continual attempts to strengthen and broaden safeguards in response to new
problems and dangers.
Right Of An Arrested Person In Ancient India
While there is less evidence of legislation protecting the rights of detained
individuals in ancient India, studying the notions of state, justice, law, and
police administration suggests a humanistic approach towards prisoners. As
previously noted, humans tend to prioritize virtue above wrongdoing. People
believed in the doctrine of reincarnation, believing that any wrongdoing
perpetrated in one lifetime must be punished in the next. According to the
Atharva Veda, man is not an individual, hence they choose to live a decent life.
He is an interdependent organism. God values those who serve others, including
humans, animals, and other creatures. Being a part of a large family is his
source of pride.
Even early criminal law acknowledged that criminals had not been born, but
rather created. These variables may be related to events in the modern day day,
such as economic and social issues, as well as destruction of moral principles
caused by parental neglect, stress, or impulsive criminal behavior. Penology
appears to aim to transform offenders into non-offenders. These notions were
imagined by ancient Smiritis authors. The ancient Smritis authors took into
consideration the distinctive characteristics of the perpetrator. The Smritis
authors pushed for the release of convicts based on their outstanding conduct
and character, which aligns with the modern notion of probation.
Who Can Arrest
- Police Officer:
In India, police officers have the authority to arrest
persons for cognizable crimes, which include major felonies such as murder,
theft, assault, and other crimes mentioned in the first section of the Code of
Criminal Procedure. They can make arrests without a warrant if the crime took
place in their presence or when they have reasonable grounds to think it was
done based on reliable information or evidence.
In such circumstances, they must
adhere to the procedures provided in the CrPC and the Indian Penal Code (IPC),
that involve notifying the accused of the grounds for arrest, assuring their
safety and dignity, and presenting them to a court within 24 hours after
detention. Police personnel in India must perform an in-depth investigation,
gather proof, and follow legal requirements to file a charge sheet in court.
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- Magistrate:
Magistrates in India have the authority to issue arrest warrants
for persons accused of non-bailable felonies such as murder, treason, or felony,
or if the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled. To issue a warrant,
magistrates have to have reasonable reasons to think that the accused has done a
crime or deliberately failed to appear in court, as evidenced by reliable
evidence or testimony.
Before issuing a warrant, magistrates have to adhere to
the processes outlined in both the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the
Indian Penal Code (IPC), among them reviewing evidence, verifying the person
accused's identity, and ensuring that the warrant must be granted to secure the
accused's appearance in court. Once obtained, the warrant permits the police to
arrest and bring the accused before the magistrate, who can decide on their
custody or released on bail, depending on the particulars of the case.
Magistrates must balance justice with the accused's rights and freedoms.
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- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
In India, the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) has the authority to investigate and arrest persons
suspected of corruption, fraud, and other major crimes such as corruption,
embezzlement, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy. To use their arrest
powers, CBI agents must have reasonable reasons to think that a crime has been
carried out, based on solid proof, testimony, or other reputable sources. Before
making an arrest, CBI officials must follow the processes provided in the Code
of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which involves
conducting an extensive investigation, acquiring evidence, and obtaining
warrants from a competent court, if necessary.
During the arrest, CBI officials
must advise the accused of their rights, particularly the right to stay quiet
and the right to legal representation, and treat them with decency and respect.
After arrest, CBI personnel must present the accused to a magistrate within 24
hours. They must also write a charge sheet summarizing the evidence & charges of
the accused, following legal norms and protocols for investigations and arrests
in India.
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Rights In Relation To Arrest And Imprisonment Under The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Crpc)
- Right to be informed: Section 50(1) of the CRPC states that a police officer who arrests someone without a warrant must tell the person arrested about the nature of the offense for which he is being detained. And if the offense he has committed is bailable, it is the police officer's responsibility to advise the detained individual that he is eligible for bail and may arrange for guarantees on his behalf. Article 22(2) of the Indian constitution further stipulates that the apprehended individual shall be notified of the reason for his arrest. It also enables the accused individual the right to tell his family, relatives, or friends of his arrest.
- Right to be released on bail: According to Section 50(2) of the CRPC, if the accused has committed a bailable offense, the police officer has the authority to tell the detained individual of his right to be granted liberty released on bail. According to Article 21 of the Constitution, every individual has the right to liberty unless proven guilty. Furthermore, he has the right to know that even in non-bailable offenses, he may be granted bail if the court grants it after considering the type or heinousness of the alleged offense. Section 167 also gives the accused the right to be freed on bail if the investigation into his offense is not concluded within sixty or ninety days of his arrest.
- Right to be taken before Magistrate without Delay: According to Section 56 of the CRPC, the police officer who makes such an arrest, whether with or without a warrant, is required to deliver the accused before a judge within 24 hours of his custody, discounting the time spent traveling from the scene of detention to the Magistrates Court.
- Right to consult a legal practitioner: Section 41D of the CRPC grants the accused the right to counsel an advocate of his choice, as well as the right to meet with an advocate of his choice during interrogation, but not throughout the interrogation process. Article 22(2) also grants the arrested individual the right to consult with a lawyer of his choosing. According to Section 303 of the CrPC, if a person is accused of committing a crime before a criminal court or if proceedings have been launched against him, he has the right to be represented by a lawyer of his choice.
- Article 39A of the Indian Constitution provides free legal aid: Free legal aid entails giving legal services to economically disadvantaged persons so that they can pursue a lawsuit or legal procedures in a court of justice or before any judicial body or authority. According to Article 39A of the Indian constitution, it is the state's responsibility to administer justice in clearly accessible terms so that any person can approach the courts to assert their rights.
- Right to be examined by a Medical Practitioner: According to Section 54(1) of the CRPC, accused persons have the right to a complete body medical examination. This examination can assist the accused in disproving the offense that he is suspected of having committed or in gathering proof that the offence was committed by someone else. However, this can only happen if the magistrate gives authorization.
Relevant Case Law
- D.K.Basu Vs. State Of West Bengal[1]
The Supreme Court of India issued a significant decision on the problem of
custodial brutality and killings in police lockups. The case began with a letter
from the Executive Chairman of Legal Aid Services, West Bengal, to the Chief
Justice of India, citing news reports of fatalities in police custody and
demanding that the court produce "custody jurisprudence" and rules to prevent
such events. The court regarded the letter as a writ petition, sending
notifications to all state governments, who answered with affidavits. The court
selected Dr. A.M. Singhvi as amicus curiae and heard arguments from many
lawyers. The court acknowledged the growing incidence of custody fatalities and
violence, as well as the necessity for prevention recommendations. The decision
established detailed rules for arrest and incarceration, such as unambiguous
identification, a report of arrest, notification to a friend or family, medical
evaluation, and access to legal counsel. These rules seek to avoid custodial
violence and safeguard prisoners and detainees' Article 21 rights. The court
ruled that custodial death and violence are violations of Article 21, and that
police officials can be held accountable for such instances. The verdict also
recommended that Section 114-B be included into the Indian Evidence Act, as
urged by the Law Commission of India. The D.K. Basu recommendations have set a
precedent in Indian criminal law by eliminating custodial violence and
preserving the rights of prisoners and detainees.
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- Joginder Kumar v. State of U.P.[2]
The Supreme Court of India issued rules for arrest and imprisonment, emphasizing
the necessity of upholding the basic right to personal liberty and freedom
guaranteed by Articles 21 and 22(1) of the Constitution. The case featured a
young counsel who was held by Ghaziabad's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
for interrogation in a case, and his brothers were misinformed about his
release. The complainant was later discovered to be in unlawful detention at a
Mussoorie police station, and the family members were told to see the SSP to get
him released. The court ruled that an arrest can only be conducted when required
and justified, not based on suspicion or accusation. To justify the arrest, the
police officer has to be reasonably satisfied after conducting an inquiry. The
court also said that an arrested person has a duty to notify a friend, relative,
or other individual of their arrest and imprisonment, and that the police
officer must inform the detained person of this right. The court ordered that a
note be made in the notebook as to who was told of the arrest, and that the
Magistrate satisfy himself of these criteria before the detained individual is
produced. The court's rules aim to avoid arbitrary arrests and defend
constitutional rights. They emphasize that the authority to arrest must be used
cautiously and with justification.
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- Neelabati Bahera v. State of Orissa[3]
The Supreme Court's historic decision in reaffirmed prisoners and detainees'
basic rights under Article 21, subject to legal constraints. To prevent abuse of
authority and guarantee humane treatment, the court set clear criteria for
arrest and detention. These standards require police officers to wear visible
identification and name tags, write an arrest memo certified by a witness and
countersigned by the arrestee, and remind the arrestee of their right to notify
a friend, relative, or other person of their arrest and incarceration.
Furthermore, if the next friend or relative lives outside of the district or
town, the police must notify them within 8-12 hours, make an entry in the case
diary with the details of the police officers involved, and ensure that the
arrestee is medically examined at the time of capture and every 48 hours while
detained. The court emphasized the necessity of preserving arrestees' rights and
dignity, as well as guaranteeing legitimate and compassionate arrests and
detentions. Violations of these standards would result in departmental actions
and contempt proceedings.
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Conclusion
The stigma that comes from being arrested lasts throughout a person's life and
has profound consequences on a suspect's social standing and dignity. Even his
release from custody cannot eliminate this stigma. The arrested adult and his
family face challenges socially. The public observations the same effects as we
do. Naturally, it must be ensured that arrests are not made on the spur of the
moment and that the rights of those who have been detained are fully protected.
For this purpose. The Cr.P.C. establishes safeguards to prevent violations of
the rights of people protected by Art. 21 and 22(1).
However, it has taken some time beforehand the legal provisions came to be fully
understood and put into application. primarily the justice system for crimes
fails to recognise this safeguarding, and the judiciary has been negligent in
ensuring that prisoners' rights have been properly protected for a long time.
Consequently, there have been plenty later declarations and statutory enactments
that emphasise their trust in the rights of the people who have been arrested.
The goal is to investigate the various entitlements that have been provided by
law to those who were recently taken into custody. Conventions as well as
decisions from courts.
It is urgently necessary to make some changes to the criminal justice system so
that the state will understand that its main responsibility is to socialise and
reform the offender rather than punish him or her. Above all, it must be
understood that socialisation is not the same as punishment because it also
includes care, prevention, education, and rehabilitation within the context of
social defence. Consequently, we conclude that the Rule of Law regulates the
operation of every organ of the state apparatus, including the agencies in
charge of conducting prosecution and investigation, which are confined to the
legal framework.
It is the responsibility of the police to uphold social rights. It should be
kept in mind that everyone is included in our society, including individuals who
have been arrested. As a result, police must continue to defend the rights of
everybody who has been detained. A police officer is required by the
aforementioned provisions to ensure that the handcuffs are not used
unnecessarily, that the accused is not harassed needlessly or unnecessarily,
that the arrested person is informed of the reasons for his arrest, that he is
eligible for bail, and that he is produced before a magistrate within 24 hours
of his arrest.
Case References
- (CRL) NO. 592 OF 1987.
- AIR 1994 SCC (4) 260.
- 1993 SCR (2) 581
Bibliography
- Indiankanoon.Org
- Lexpees.Org
- R.V. Khelkar Book
- C.K. Takwani Book
- Scribed.In
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