📄 Citizen Pocket Legal Shield (Printable 1-Page Offline Card)
Top 10 essential everyday protections formatted to print on 1 page or save on phone.
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.
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.'
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.
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.