📄 Citizen Pocket Legal Shield (Printable 1-Page Offline Card)
Top 10 essential everyday protections formatted to print on 1 page or save on phone.
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.
Workplace Safety
✅ MANDATORY ICC
🌐 All-India Central Act
Is every company obligated to maintain an Internal Complaints Committee for women's safety?
YES. Any organization employing 10 or more people MUST constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) headed by a senior woman.
Governing Law:
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act)
Constitutional Articles:
Article 14, Article 19(1)(g) & Article 21 (Safe Working Environment)
(Art 14 →)
(Art 19 →)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 14, 19, 21 Shield
“Officer / Authority, with due respect, as per Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), iCC must consist of at least 50% women members and include an external NGO member. This is my fundamental right under Article 14, Article 19(1)(g) & Article 21 (Safe Working Environment); if any restriction applies, kindly provide the written statutory order.”
What the Law Says
- • ICC must consist of at least 50% women members and include an external NGO member.
- • Employer failing to constitute an ICC faces cancellation of business licenses and statutory fines.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Submit a written complaint to the Presiding Officer of the ICC within 3 months of the incident.
- The committee must conclude inquiry within 90 days with strict confidentiality.
Bodily Autonomy
✅ REPRODUCTIVE RIGHT
🌐 All-India Central Act
Can an adult pregnant woman terminate pregnancy up to 24 weeks without spousal consent?
YES. Supreme Court in X v. Principal Secretary affirmed that reproductive autonomy belongs solely to the woman; husband or family consent is NOT required.
Governing Law:
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021 & Supreme Court Landmark Ruling (2022)
Constitutional Articles:
Article 21 (Right to Bodily Autonomy & Reproductive Choice)
(Art 21 →)
Exact Words to Speak Calmly:
🛡️ Article 21 Shield
“Officer / Authority, with due respect, as per Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021 & Supreme Court Landmark Ruling (2022), applies equally to married and unmarried women. This is constitutionally protected under Article 21 (Right to Bodily Autonomy & Reproductive Choice); kindly follow statutory due process and provide an official written record.”
What the Law Says
- • Applies equally to married and unmarried women.
- • Registered Medical Practitioners must strictly protect the woman's medical confidentiality.
What to Say & Do Calmly (Step-by-Step)
- Consult a registered gynecologist at a government hospital or approved MTP clinic.
- Your medical consent alone is legally sufficient for the procedure.