📄 Citizen Pocket Legal Shield (Printable 1-Page Offline Card)
Top 10 essential everyday protections formatted to print on 1 page or save on phone.
Officer Duty
✅ MANDATORY FIR
🌐 All-India Central Act
What happens if a Station House Officer refuses to register an FIR for a serious crime?
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Police officers refusing to register an FIR for cognizable crimes face up to 2 years imprisonment under Section 166A IPC / Section 199 BNS.
Governing Law:
Lalita Kumari v. Govt of UP (2014) & Section 166A IPC / Section 199 BNS
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Right to Lawful Protection)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Lalita Kumari v. Govt of UP (2014) & Section 166A IPC / Section 199 BNS, constitution Bench in Lalita Kumari held registration of FIR is MANDATORY if a cognizable offense is disclosed. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Right to Lawful Protection); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Constitution Bench in Lalita Kumari held registration of FIR is MANDATORY if a cognizable offense is disclosed.
- • You can send the complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) by registered post under Section 154(3) CrPC / 173(4) BNSS.
- • You can file a direct criminal complaint before the Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC / 175(3) BNSS.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Keep an acknowledged copy of your written complaint.
- If refused, send the complaint to the District SP/DCP by registered speed post.
Arrest Protocol
✅ MANDATORY WITNESS
🌐 All-India Central Act
Must an Arrest Memo be signed by a local witness or family member during arrest?
MANDATORY. Under Section 41B CrPC / Section 36 BNSS, every arrest memo MUST be attested by at least one witness who is a family member or respectable member of the locality.
Governing Law:
Section 41B CrPC / Section 36 BNSS, 2023 & D.K. Basu Guidelines
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Fair Procedure in Arrest)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 41B CrPC / Section 36 BNSS, 2023 & D.K. Basu Guidelines, arrest memo must state exact time, date, location, and offense. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Fair Procedure in Arrest); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Arrest memo must state exact time, date, location, and offense.
- • The arrested person must countersign the memo and receive a copy.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Demand: 'Officer, please prepare the arrest memo and have it attested by a local witness before taking me.'
Custody Safety
✅ MANDATORY CHECKUP
🌐 All-India Central Act
Is the police required to conduct a medical examination of an arrested person every 48 hours?
MANDATORY LAW. Section 54 CrPC / Section 53 BNSS requires every arrested person to be examined by a registered medical officer immediately upon arrest and every 48 hours in custody.
Governing Law:
Section 54 CrPC / Section 53 BNSS, 2023 & Supreme Court D.K. Basu Directives
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Prevention of Custodial Violence)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 54 CrPC / Section 53 BNSS, 2023 & Supreme Court D.K. Basu Directives, medical report records all pre-existing injuries to prove whether torture occurred in custody. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Prevention of Custodial Violence); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Medical report records all pre-existing injuries to prove whether torture occurred in custody.
- • Copy of the medical inspection report must be furnished to the arrestee and Magistrate.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Show all bruises or injuries to the doctor during examination and insist they be recorded in the Medico-Legal Case (MLC) sheet.
Constitutional Guard
⚠️ DETENTION BEYOND 24 HOURS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
🌐 All-India Central Act
Held in Police Station Beyond 24 Hours: When does custody become illegal detention?
STRICTLY ILLEGAL. Under Article 22(2) of the Constitution and Section 58 of BNSS, police MUST produce every arrested or detained person before the nearest Judicial Magistrate within 24 hours. Holding a citizen beyond 24 hours is unlawful detention punishable with criminal prosecution.
Governing Law:
Section 57 & 58 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) / Section 57 CrPC
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty), Article 22(2) (Mandatory 24-hour production)
(Art 21 →)
(Art 22 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21, 22 Shield
“Officer, with due respect, as per Section 57 & 58 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) / Section 57 CrPC, the 24-hour clock begins the moment physical custody or restraint is exercised by police, not when the formal arrest memo is signed. As guaranteed under Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty), Article 22(2) (Mandatory 24-hour production), please provide the written grounds/memo and allow me to consult my lawyer immediately.”
What the Law Says
- • 1. The 24-hour clock begins the moment physical custody or restraint is exercised by police, not when the formal arrest memo is signed.
- • 2. Detention beyond 24 hours without a judicial remand order from a Magistrate violates fundamental constitutional rights.
- • 3. Family members can immediately file an emergency Habeas Corpus petition before the High Court or Sessions Judge.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Demand to see the General Diary (GD) entry logging the time of arrival at the police station.
- 2. Instruct family to send a telegram / speed post to the District Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) noting illegal detention.
- 3. Contact a criminal lawyer to file an urgent Section 100 BNSS application or Habeas Corpus under Article 226.
- 4. File an inquiry before the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) against the Station House Officer.
Women Safety
✅ SEARCHING WOMEN'S ROOMS: FEMALE OFFICER MANDATORY
🌐 All-India Central Act
House Search by Police: Can male officers enter and search private rooms occupied by women?
NO. Under Section 103 BNSS, whenever a private room or house inhabited by women (who by custom do not appear in public) is searched, police must give notice to withdraw and conduct the search strictly in the presence of a female police officer with strict regard to decency.
Governing Law:
Section 103 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) / Section 100(3) CrPC
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Right to Privacy and Female Dignity), Article 14 (Protection against gender abuse)
(Art 21 →)
(Art 14 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21, 14 Shield
“Show your search warrant and confirm if female officers are present. (Protected under Article 21 (Right to Privacy and Female Dignity), Article 14 (Protection against gender abuse)).”
What the Law Says
- • 1. Male police officers cannot barge into women's bedrooms or private quarters without female police personnel.
- • 2. The officer must give reasonable time and notice to women to withdraw before entering.
- • 3. The physical search of a female can ONLY be made by another female with strict regard to decency.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Ask through the closed door: "Show your search warrant and confirm if female officers are present."
- 2. State firmly: "Under Section 103 BNSS, male officers cannot search women's quarters without female constables."
- 3. Call two independent respectable neighbors to act as search witnesses (Panchas).
- 4. If male officers barge in violently, record video or call 112 and register a complaint of outraging modesty.
Legal Shield
⚠️ NO SEIZURE WITHOUT IMMEDIATE SIGNED PANCHNAMA
🌐 All-India Central Act
Items Seized by Police During Search: Must police give you an immediate signed Seizure Memo?
MANDATORY. Under Section 105 BNSS, police seizing any mobile phone, laptop, document, or cash must immediately prepare a signed Seizure List (Panchnama) witnessed by two local independent citizens and provide a free copy on the spot.
Governing Law:
Section 105 & 107 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) / Section 100(5) CrPC
Constitutional Articles:
Article 300A (Protection from deprivation of property), Article 21 (Fair statutory procedure)
(Art 300A →)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 300A, 21 Shield
“Please prepare the Seizure Memo (Panchnama) under Section 105 BNSS before taking any item. (Protected under Article 300A (Protection from deprivation of property), Article 21 (Fair statutory procedure)).”
What the Law Says
- • 1. Police cannot take away laptops, cash, or jewellery informally without an inventory list signed on the spot.
- • 2. The seizure list must detail exact serial numbers, IMEI, descriptions, and condition of items.
- • 3. For digital devices (phones/laptops), police must record the Hash Value to prevent evidence planting or tampering.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Ask the searching officer: "Please prepare the Seizure Memo (Panchnama) under Section 105 BNSS before taking any item."
- 2. Ensure two independent neighbors sign the inventory as search witnesses.
- 3. Demand a free, carbon-copy or duplicate copy signed by the Investigating Officer on the spot.
- 4. If police take items without a memo, send an urgent affidavit to the District Superintendent of Police (SP) and CJM.
Custodial Rights
✅ CCTV WITH AUDIO MANDATORY IN ALL POLICE STATIONS
🌐 All-India Central Act
Custodial Abuse in Police Station: Can you access CCTV footage to prove police misconduct?
YES. The Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini (2020) made it mandatory for all police stations in India to have functioning CCTV cameras with night vision and audio recording in all lockups, corridors, and inspector rooms, preserved for 18 months.
Governing Law:
Supreme Court of India Directives in Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh (2020)
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Protection against Torture & Custodial Violence), Article 20(3) (Right against Coercion)
(Art 21 →)
(Art 20 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21, 20 Shield
“Preserve CCTV footage under Paramvir Singh Saini mandate. (Protected under Article 21 (Protection against Torture & Custodial Violence), Article 20(3) (Right against Coercion)).”
What the Law Says
- • 1. CCTV cameras with clear audio recording must cover entrance, lockups, corridors, reception, and sub-inspector rooms.
- • 2. Footage must be preserved for at least 18 months by state authorities.
- • 3. If police claim cameras were "not working" during an alleged torture incident, courts draw an adverse criminal inference against the police.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Immediately note down the exact date, time, and specific room of the police station where the misconduct occurred.
- 2. Submit an urgent application to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and CJM: "Preserve CCTV footage under Paramvir Singh Saini mandate."
- 3. File an immediate complaint before the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
- 4. Move the High Court under Section 528 BNSS / Article 226 for judicial direction to seize the DVR.
Arrest Rights
⚠️ POLICE MUST INFORM FAMILY/LAWYER WITHIN 1 HOUR
🌐 All-India Central Act
Arrested by Police: Does the police officer have a duty to inform your family or lawyer immediately?
MANDATORY. Under Section 48 BNSS and the landmark D.K. Basu guidelines, the arresting police officer MUST immediately inform a friend, relative, or person nominated by the arrested individual regarding the arrest and place of custody.
Governing Law:
Section 48 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) & Supreme Court in D.K. Basu (1997)
Constitutional Articles:
Article 22(1) (Right to be informed of grounds of arrest and consult legal practitioner)
(Art 22 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 22 Shield
“Under Section 48 BNSS, please call my nominated family member [Name & Phone Number] right now. (Protected under Article 22(1) (Right to be informed of grounds of arrest and consult legal practitioner)).”
What the Law Says
- • 1. The police officer must disclose full name and designation on clear identification badges during arrest.
- • 2. If the friend/relative lives outside the district, police must inform them by phone or telegraph within 8 to 12 hours.
- • 3. An entry must be made in the police diary recording the name of the friend informed and the officer in whose custody the person is kept.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- 1. Tell the arresting officer clearly: "Under Section 48 BNSS, please call my nominated family member [Name & Phone Number] right now."
- 2. Do not answer substantive questions until your legal counsel arrives (Right to Counsel).
- 3. Verify that the arrest memo records the exact time and contact details of the informed relative.
- 4. If secret custody is maintained, inform the Magistrate at first production that Section 48 was breached.