📄 Citizen Pocket Legal Shield (Printable 1-Page Offline Card)
Top 10 essential everyday protections formatted to print on 1 page or save on phone.
Citizen Power
⚠️ REFUSAL IS A CRIME
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can Police refuse to file an FIR saying "Not in our jurisdiction"?
NO! Police MUST register a "Zero FIR" regardless of where the crime took place.
Governing Law:
Lalita Kumari v. Govt of UP (Supreme Court) & IPC Sec 166A / BNS Sec 199
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Rule of Law & Access to Justice), Article 14 (Equality)
(Art 21 →)
(Art 14 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21, 14 Shield
“Kindly register a Zero FIR. Under the Supreme Court's Lalita Kumari mandate, you cannot refuse. (Protected under Article 21 (Rule of Law & Access to Justice), Article 14 (Equality)).”
What the Law Says
- • A "Zero FIR" can be lodged at ANY police station in India, irrespective of jurisdiction.
- • The station registers it with number "0" and later transfers it to the appropriate local station after preliminary action.
- • Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari ruled registration of FIR is mandatory if a cognizable crime is reported.
- • Under Section 166A IPC / Section 199 BNS, any police officer refusing to register an FIR faces up to 2 years in prison.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Tell the duty officer: "Kindly register a Zero FIR. Under the Supreme Court's Lalita Kumari mandate, you cannot refuse."
- If the SHO refuses, send a written complaint by registered post or email to the District Superintendent of Police (SP) under CrPC 154(3).
- You can also approach the Judicial Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC.
Liberty Shield
✅ MANDATORY DUE PROCESS
🌐 All-India Central Act
What rights do you have if police try to arrest you?
You have the right to know grounds of arrest, right to a lawyer, right to inform family, and production before Magistrate within 24 hours.
Governing Law:
Article 22(1), Article 22(2) & D.K. Basu Supreme Court Guidelines
Constitutional Articles:
Article 22 (Protection against Arrest & Detention), Article 21
(Art 22 →)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 22, 21 Shield
“Under which Section and offence am I being arrested? (Protected under Article 22 (Protection against Arrest & Detention), Article 21).”
What the Law Says
- • Police officer MUST prepare an Arrest Memo (Section 41B CrPC) signed by at least one witness and countersigned by you.
- • Officer must wear clear nameplate and rank designation.
- • Right to have one friend, relative, or lawyer notified immediately of your arrest and detention place (Section 41D CrPC).
- • Medical examination by a medical officer must be conducted every 48 hours to record physical condition and prevent torture (Section 54 CrPC).
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Ask: "Under which Section and offence am I being arrested?"
- Verify the Arrest Memo and ensure exact time and place are mentioned before signing.
- Request to contact family and an advocate immediately under Section 41D.
- Demand an immediate medical examination under Section 54 CrPC.
Self-Incrimination
✅ RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can Police torture or force you to sign a confession?
NO. Forced confessions to police are legally inadmissible in court, and you have a Fundamental Right to Silence.
Governing Law:
Article 20(3) of Constitution & Section 25/26 Indian Evidence Act / Section 23 BSA
Constitutional Articles:
Article 20(3) (Protection against Self-Incrimination), Article 21
(Art 20 →)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 20, 21 Shield
“I will make statements only before my lawyer or the Magistrate. (Protected under Article 20(3) (Protection against Self-Incrimination), Article 21).”
What the Law Says
- • Article 20(3) guarantees that no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
- • Confessions made to a police officer are 100% inadmissible as evidence in court under Section 25 of Evidence Act.
- • Supreme Court in Selvi v. State of Karnataka held that involuntary narco-analysis, polygraph, and brain mapping violate Article 20(3).
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Maintain calm composure and exercise your right to silence: "I will make statements only before my lawyer or the Magistrate."
- Never sign blank papers or papers you have not read thoroughly.
- Inform the Magistrate immediately during your 24-hour remand hearing if torture occurred.
Human Dignity
⛔ ROUTINE HANDCUFFING UNLAWFUL
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can police handcuff you on the road or in public during routine arrest?
NO. The Supreme Court has ruled that routine handcuffing is unconstitutional and violates human dignity.
Governing Law:
Prem Shankar Shukla v. Delhi Administration & Citizen for Democracy v. State of Assam
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Human Dignity & Fair Procedure), Article 14
(Art 21 →)
(Art 14 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21, 14 Shield
“Under Supreme Court rulings in Prem Shankar Shukla case, routine handcuffing is unlawful. Do you have magistrate sanction? (Protected under Article 21 (Human Dignity & Fair Procedure), Article 14).”
What the Law Says
- • Supreme Court ruled that handcuffing is prima facie inhuman and contrary to Article 21.
- • Police cannot handcuff an accused unless there is a clear, documented risk of violence or escape, AND prior judicial magistrate permission is obtained.
- • Parading handcuffed citizens in public to humiliate them is illegal and penalizes police personnel.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Politely object: "Under Supreme Court rulings in Prem Shankar Shukla case, routine handcuffing is unlawful. Do you have magistrate sanction?"
- Inform your lawyer and raise the illegal handcuffing before the Magistrate.
Summons Rule
✅ MANDATORY NOTICE
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can police call you to the police station without a formal written notice?
NO. For offenses punishable with up to 7 years imprisonment, police MUST serve a formal Section 41A CrPC / 35 BNSS notice specifying time and allegations.
Governing Law:
Section 41A CrPC / Section 35(3) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 & Arnesh Kumar Guidelines
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Protection Against Arbitrary Harassment)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 41A CrPC / Section 35(3) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 & Arnesh Kumar Guidelines, supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar ruled that verbal or phone summons are not lawful. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Protection Against Arbitrary Harassment); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar ruled that verbal or phone summons are not lawful.
- • If you comply with the written notice and cooperate, police CANNOT arrest you without special magistrate approval.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- If police call on phone, state: 'Sir, please issue a formal notice under Section 41A CrPC/35 BNSS and I will gladly appear with my advocate.'
- Always attend with an acknowledgment copy signed by the investigating officer.
Transparency
✅ MANDATORY FREE COPY
🌐 All-India Central Act
Are you entitled to a free certified copy of an FIR immediately after filing?
YES. Under Section 154(2) CrPC / Section 173(2) BNSS, the informant is entitled to a certified copy of the FIR immediately and completely FREE of cost.
Governing Law:
Section 154(2) CrPC / Section 173(2) BNSS, 2023
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Transparency & Legal Redressal)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 154(2) CrPC / Section 173(2) BNSS, 2023, police cannot charge fees or make you wait days for an FIR copy. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Transparency & Legal Redressal); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Police cannot charge fees or make you wait days for an FIR copy.
- • All state police portals must upload FIRs online within 24 to 48 hours as per Supreme Court in Youth Bar Association.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Wait at the police station until the FIR is registered in the General Diary.
- Politely assert: 'Sir, please provide the free copy of the FIR with GD number under Section 154(2) CrPC / 173(2) BNSS.'
Vulnerable Persons
⚠️ QUESTION AT HOME ONLY
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can police force children under 15, women, or seniors above 65 to visit the police station for questioning?
STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Under Section 160 CrPC / Section 179 BNSS, women, children under 15, and persons above 65 CANNOT be called to a police station; they can only be examined at their home.
Governing Law:
Proviso to Section 160(1) CrPC / Section 179 BNSS, 2023
Constitutional Articles:
Article 15(3) (Protective Discrimination) & Article 21 (Dignity)
(Art 15 →)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 15, 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Proviso to Section 160(1) CrPC / Section 179 BNSS, 2023, investigating officer must visit the person's residence in the presence of parents or guardians. Under Article 15(3) (Protective Discrimination) & Article 21 (Dignity), arbitrary action or discrimination is strictly barred; kindly proceed in accordance with written rules and provide a reasoned record.”
What the Law Says
- • Investigating officer must visit the person's residence in the presence of parents or guardians.
- • Police calling a woman or minor to a police station for routine questioning violates statutory law.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Inform the officer: 'Under Section 160 CrPC / 179 BNSS, I am exempt from visiting the police station. You may visit my residence to record statements.'
- Ensure a family member or legal counsel is seated next to the witness during the visit.
Legal Shield
⚠️ INADMISSIBLE IN COURT
🌐 All-India Central Act
Is a confession made to a police officer admissible as evidence in court?
NO. Confessions made to any police officer are completely inadmissible in court to prevent custodial torture and forced signatures.
Governing Law:
Section 25 Indian Evidence Act / Section 23 Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023
Constitutional Articles:
Article 20(3) (Protection Against Self-Incrimination)
(Art 20 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 20 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 25 Indian Evidence Act / Section 23 Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, only confessions recorded before a Judicial Magistrate under Section 164 CrPC / 183 BNSS (after warning) are admissible. Under Article 20(3) (Protection Against Self-Incrimination), I cannot be compelled to sign statements or give self-incriminating evidence without my legal counsel.”
What the Law Says
- • Only confessions recorded before a Judicial Magistrate under Section 164 CrPC / 183 BNSS (after warning) are admissible.
- • Any paper police force you to sign while in lockup has zero evidential weight.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Never panic if an officer coerces you to sign blank papers in lockup.
- As soon as you are produced before the Judicial Magistrate, state immediately: 'Your Honour, police coerced signatures from me under threat.'