Whenever we see Khaki clad policemen and women we are curious to know more about them. We are intrigued about the kind of family life they may be leading. Do they manage to enjoy their life like we do, since they are busy with duties and bandobast? Following is a list of 101 questions about police personnel and policing rules & regulation that should answer some of the common queries:
- Why do we have a police force?
Police force provide citizens with a sense of safety and security. They ensure that peace and order in the society is maintained. They assist in prevention and detection of crime. They function as law enforcers– to ensure that everyone including the police force itself, follow the law at every step.
- What are the police supposed to do?
The police force has several duties. First and foremost being prevention & control of crime. In the event of a crime happening, detecting and investigating it properly. It must also prepare an honest, evidence based case for the prosecutor to present at court. The police force has the responsibility of maintaining overall law & order and for this purpose they have to gather information about what is happening in and around the community they serve.
- What is meant by ‘police powers’?
The police have powers by law, but they can exercise them only according to procedure laid down by law. So they can make arrests, carry out search and seizures, investigate offences, question witnesses, interrogate suspects, disperse unruly crowds and maintain order in the society. But they have to follow the legal procedures strictly. They can not act according to their whims and fancies. Any abuse of power or negligence of duty will amount to breach of discipline, civil wrong or a crime and the police officer is liable to be punished.
- Is there just one police force in India?
No. Each state has its own police force under the control of the government of that state. Police that work in parts of India that are directly under the control of the central government like the capital Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep Islands, Dadra Nagar & Haveli and Andaman Nicobar Islands come under the control of the central government.
- What are the paramilitary forces?
Paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Assam Rifles, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Security Guard (NSG) are armed policing organisations established for special duties by the central government. They are structured along the lines of the army and thus called paramilitary. They help the police in counter insurgency or anti terrorist activities and in moments of civil unrest.
- Can anyone become a police officer?
Yes, anyone can become a police officer. However, you have to meet the conditions and standards laid down for that particular rank. For example, to join as a constable you need to be at least matriculate. To join as a Sub Inspector you need to be a graduate.
- How can I become a police officer?
There are three levels at which you can join the force. At the state level, you can join either as a constable and go up to Deputy Superintendent of Police or you can join at Sub-Inspector level and get promoted all the way up to Superintendent of Police in charge of a district. Constables and sub inspectors have to take a written entrance test. If you pass you have to go for a physical test. If that is cleared, then you are called for an interview followed by medical check-up to see if you are medically fit and then you are finally selected. IPS officers on the other hand are recruited at the central level and ranks begin as either Additional or Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent of Police.
- What is IPS?
IPS is short form for Indian Police Service. It is one of the three all-India services of the government of India; the other two being the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). It is a general pool from which police officers are drawn and sent out to serve in senior posts all over the country.
- How do I join the IPS?
You have to appear for preliminary examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Dates and venue are published from time to time in local and national newspapers. If you clear prelims you become eligible to appear for the main written examination. After clearing the written examination you are interviewed by an interview board. On selection you have to indicate your preference of central service – the Foreign Service, the Administrative Service, the Police, Forest or Revenue. Only if you score very high marks you will get your choice of service, because allotments to different civil services are merit-based.
- What training will I get as an IPS officer?
In the IPS, you go for a foundation training course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration at Mussoorie. This is followed by a basic training course at the National Police Academy at Hyderabad.
- What kind of training do other ranks get?
Most states also have their own training schools where non-IPS officers and constables are trained. In-service training is also imparted from time to time. Other ranks get outdoor physical training, and training in the use of weapons, first aid, riot control and unarmed combat. Classroom training on various criminal laws, procedures to conduct investigations, control crowds and deal with many situations they come across is also imparted.
- How many police stations are there in the country?
There are 12,809 police stations in the country.
- Do we have enough police officers?
No. According to United Nations standards, there should be about 230 police officers for every 100,000 people. But in India there are only 125 police officers for every 100,000 population. This is one of the lowest police to population ratios in the world. There are many vacancies which are lying vacant not filled up. Although 16.6 lakh police personnel is the sanctioned strength there are in fact only 14.2 lakh. in service. That means there is a shortage of about 14.4%. But even that doesn’t give the entire picture, because there are more police in bigger cities than in smaller ones. Several police officers are used for the protection of a very small number of very important people. Administrative and traffic duties take up large numbers of police personnel. Thus, there is huge short-falls in the numbers left for crime prevention, detection and overall maintenance of law and order.
- Are there women in the police force?
Yes, but they are less than 5% of total police force.
- Do women police officers have different duties?
No. As far as rules and laws are concerned women police will do the same duties as men. But only women are posted at all-women police stations.
- Are there any special reservations or quotas in the police force?
Yes. There are special quotas for recruitment of scheduled castes (13.7%), scheduled tribes (8.7%), and other backward classes in every state. The central and state governments have their own rules about how many people may be recruited from these communities. However, there is no special reservation for minorities or for women. Muslims make up 7.6% of the police force.
- Why is it necessary to have Dalits, Women, Muslims, Christians, tribals and others in the police force?
It is important that a police force has a good mix of men & women and people from every religion, class, caste and tribe. This increases understanding of the behaviour and attitudes of different communities, their cultures, and helps to remove prejudices.
- How can I tell if a person is a police officer and not some other official?
Police officers have a distinct uniform in khaki or in blue colour with a cap, belt and shoulder epaulettes that show their rank and which force they belong to. Police officers should also have a name tag displayed on the chest.
- What are the different ranks in the police?
The constable is at the lowest rung of the ladder. From here the ranks move up to the Head Constable (HC), Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Sub-Inspector (SI), Inspector (IP), Assistant/Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP/Dy.SP), Addl. Superintendent of Police (Addl.SP), Superintendent of Police (SP), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Addl. Director General of Police (ADG) and finally the Director General of Police (DGP).
- What is a beat constable?
No, it is not a police officer who beats you! Just so you know, no policeman is allowed to use force with anyone except if they are resisting arrest or trying to escape. A beat police officer is called that because he has a regular specific area or route which he patrols -sometimes with another police officer – to check if everything is in order and nothing suspicious is going on. On night patrols, the beat constable will sometimes call out or bang their lathis to indicate that he is on his rounds.
- How are duties assigned to police officers?
Specific duties are assigned to every police officer from the level of a Constable right up to the level of the DGP. These duties are listed in the police manuals of every state. A junior officer can not perform those duties assigned to his senior. For example, a SI can not do a duty assigned to an SP. However, anything that can be done by a lower ranking officer can be done by a senior ranking officer as well.
- Can a traffic police officer arrest me for an offence other than a traffic crime?
Yes. A traffic cop is also a police officer basically given traffic duties. If he sees you committing any crime he can arrest you just like any other policeman can or like any private citizen can.
- What do we mean by CID?
CID means the Criminal Investigation Department. This is sometimes called the special branch or the investigative branch. They are the investigative agency of the state police. They are called to investigate serious crimes like fraud, cheating, gang wars and crimes that have interstate implications.
- Is the CID different from the police?
No. CID personnel are selected from the police officers.
- Who is in charge of the police force?
There is one chief of police in each state. He is called the Director General of Police or DGP for short. He is the top man. But even the DGP has to report to the government. His boss is the home minister in charge of the home department in the state or at the centre.
- Why should the chief of police have to report to the minister?
Every government has a duty to make sure that each one of us feels safe and secure and does not have to worry about his life or his loved ones or his property. The government gives this duty to the police. So, the police have to report to the government about how they are doing their job. In turn, the government also has a duty to the public to make sure that the police are honest, fair and efficient and do their work only according to the law and not according to what they feel they want to do.
- Who gives money for policing?
The police are paid by the taxpayers to provide the service. Salaries are drawn from the state government budget and the budget of the central government. But in the end, it is paid through the pocket of the tax-payer.
- Where does the police get its money from?
Every state has a budget that is allocated exclusively for providing police services. The police get the money from this budget.
- Who approves the budget and what is most of it spent on?
The budget is decided by the state legislature. In the case of the Union Territories the budget is approved by Parliament. The first draft is prepared by the DG Administration. This draft is then sent to the DGP for approval. From there it goes to the home department. The finance ministry approves it and sends it for Cabinet approval as part of the state budget and then it goes to the legislature for discussion. After discussion in the legislature, the police budget for the year is finally approved. In the state budget, major portion of money allocated for policing is spent on salaries. Other items of expenditure are on training, investigation, infrastructure, housing, etc.
- How do we know that the police department spends the money prudently?
There is an annual audit of accounts and monies spent by the police conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). These accounts are submitted to Parliament and state legislatures. Once examined, they are available on the website of the home/police department or in the Parliament library. You can also use the Right to Information Act to ask for annual police spending. Since policing expenses are met through tax-payer’s money which means your money, you should take an interest to ensure that this money is properly spent.
- Which laws govern the police?
The Police Act of 1861 governs the police in most states. A few states have their own police act. But all police acts are modelled on the old law. Very recently some states have revised their acts and created new police laws. There are also other criminal laws like the CrPC and the IPC as well as local laws which govern the work and functioning of the police.
- What is the CrPC and the IPC?
The CrPC is short for Code of Criminal Procedure. When a crime is committed, there are always two procedures which the police have to follow to investigate the offence. One from the victim’s side and the other from the point of view of accused. These procedures are detailed in the CrPC. IPC is short for Indian Penal Code. Certain types of human behaviour are not allowed by law and such type of behaviours are punishable. These types of behaviour are called “crimes” or “offences” and consequences of which are called “punishment”. The behaviour and actions, which are termed as offences, along with the punishment for each offence are mainly contained in the IPC.
- What does a ‘Police Act’ say?
Police Act usually talks about what the police can and can not do; how the police force will be organised; what ranks there will be; who will supervise the force; who will make appointments; what punishment and disciplinary actions the police will face for doing wrong. It also lays down some rules for the public to follow.
- Why does the Police Act have offences by the public in it?
These few offences are put in to make sure that every one keeps roads and public spaces clean, uncluttered, safe, decent and free from disease. For instance, the police can immediately arrest a person for letting animals roam around on the road, slaughtering them, or being cruel to them. People who obstruct the road, dirty it, put goods out for sale on the road without a licence, are indecent, drunk or riotous, or neglectful in ensuring that dangerous places like wells are kept safe by fencing, etc. can also be arrested immediately.
- What does ’rule of law’ mean?
It means that we, all of us, irrespective of our status financially or by virtue of position, man or woman, government or public servants like the police, have to obey the law and must live according to the laws that have been laid down in our country under our Constitution. No one is above the law. It also means that every action by the police has to be according to the law and, if not, the police will be accountable before the law. It also means that the laws should be reasonable, just and apply to all of us in a fair way.
- Can a police officer be punished if he has done wrong?
Yes. A police officer just like any one else can be punished if he breaks the law. In fact, because he is a person entrusted with upholding the law he should be punished more severely for breaking it.
- How is a police officer punished?
There are many means of punishing a police officer who has done wrong. If he has committed a crime then he can be brought before the courts and tried just like any one else. If he has been rude, behaved badly or not done his duty as he should have, then his senior officers can punish him by warning him, or even deducting his salary, dropping his rank, suspending or transferring him.
- Police officer have to do life endangering work. Are they insured?
Yes, Police Officers are insured. All police personnel have to pay towards their group insurance cover which is deducted from their salary. Families of police officers, who lose their lives in the line of duty, are also paid an ex-gratia lump sum. Police officers work in unsafe conditions. Many get killed or wounded, in fact on an average over 800 police officers have been killed in the line of duty this year itself. The last decade was worse with an average standing at over 1,000 per year. Most of those who die on duty are constables.
- Does the police officer have to obey any and all orders of his seniors or by any other person who is competent to give that order like a district collector or minister?
No. A Police officer must obey orders only when they are lawful. He will be held responsible for anything wrong he does even if he has been ordered to do it. He can never excuse his behaviour by saying that someone in authority told him to do the task which was wrong and unlawful. That will not protect him.
- Is a police officer always on duty?
Yes. The 1861 Police Act makes it clear that a police officer is “considered to be always on duty”. But that does not mean that he is never allowed to rest. It just means that wherever he is, in or out of uniform, he must act to uphold the law. He can not say “I am not on duty” if he witnesses a crime taking place or hears a call for help.
- Can I hire a police officer for my own security?
Actually, you can, if there is a grave threat to you. Sometimes the state will arrange security; at times the security has to be paid for by you. According to the Police Act, if you need extra police persons deployed in an area and the authorities agree to it you can pay for the additional police arrangements for a limited period of time. So, for example, for a huge marriage or private occasion the police may agree to provide a few extra hands in that area at your cost. But if an area is crime prone or there is a public rally or an event, it would be the duty of the police to provide extra people and no question of payment would arise.
- Are the police automatically allowed to take free rides on public transport or take things from the market people without paying?
In some places police officers are given passes to take rides on public transport and that too when they are on duty. But otherwise no police officer is allowed to take free rides. Likewise for market places; no police officer is allowed to take goods from a market stall just because he is a police officer. Like all citizens, he too has to pay for his purchases.
- Do I have to listen to every order of the police officer?
Yes, if it is a lawful order that is related to his duties. In fact, everyone has a duty to assist a police officer in doing his duty; especially if the police officer is trying to stop a fight or prevent a crime or trying to stop someone from escaping his custody. In fact, if you have information about acrime it is your duty to pass that information on to the police. It is also a duty not to shelter or harbor any proclaimed offender. You also have a duty to give evidence in a court of law if you know or have seen something in a case.
- Do I have to go with a police officer if he asks me to come with him somewhere?
No. However, if the police officer is asking you to come along to be a witness to something he is doing as part of his duty, like arresting a person, seizing property, or examining a crime scene, then you must go along and help. Traditionally, that is called being a pancha- a person who can tell the court independently what he saw at that moment.
- Suppose a police officer asks me to come to the police station, do I have to go?
No. It is good to cooperate with the police but it is not necessary to go to the station unless the police officer is formally arresting you. Otherwise, if he just wants to question you or is making inquiries about a crime he has to summon you in writing. Until that is done you can not be forced to go to the station. Where any woman is concerned or a child below 15 is involved, the police can question them only in their homes.
- Do I have to answer all the questions the police officer asks?
Yes. It is always better to answer questions honestly in a straight forward manner and inform the police of any facts you may know. If you do not know something, then the police officer can not force you to make any statement, or put words in your mouth. It is always better to make sure that someone else is there with you when you are being questioned.
- Is it the duty of the police officer to help me when I am in distress?
Yes. In 1985, guidelines for the code of conduct for the police were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and communicated to all chief secretaries of all states/union territories and heads of central police organisations. This requires the police to give any assistance to all without regard to wealth and social standing. According to the code their general duty is to provide security to all without fear or favour including keeping the welfare of people in mind, being sympathetic and considerate towards them, being ready to offer individual service and friendship.
- Can I ask the police to help me out with family problems?
It depends on the problem. If it is a crime like violence in the family, beating up a woman or a child, or incest, or trespass, then of course the police must help you. It can not turn you away and say it is a private affair. But if adult children are disobedient, for example they run away to get married, then it is no business of the police to chase them or force them to return because it is purely a family matter.
- If a police officer does not help or there is no police officer around, can the public catch a thief or wrongdoer and punish him then and there?
Yes and no. You can make what is called a “citizen’s arrest” and catch the wrongdoer and take him to the nearest police station. That is all. But you cannot beat up the wrong-doer or join a crowd that is doing that. Members of the public only have a right to act to protect themselves which is called the ‘Right to Defence’ but that too has to be reasonably used. It can not turn into a one-sided beating or horrible humiliation and a police officer who allows that or joins in is likely to face disciplinary or criminal charges.
- What can I do if the police officer does not help me?
Wilful breach or neglect of duty by a police officer is punishable with imprisonment. If the police officer is not helpful and you have been harmed, then you can complain about it to his senior. In such a case he may be found guilty for dereliction of duty.
- Can the police do anything they want?
Not at all. They can only do what is lawful. In fact, they are very strictly governed by rules. These include their own regulations, the procedures laid down by the criminal codes, the orders given by the Supreme Court and the guidelines of the human rights commissions.
- But supposing the police officer does not obey the laws?
You can complain to his senior or to the magistrate depending on how serious the matter is. It is always better to complain in writing and get a receipt.
- What can I complain about?
You can complain of any wrongdoing by a police officer because he is a public servant bound to do his duty at all times. He can not neglect his duty, or delay in doing it.
- Suppose the police officer is rude and insulting to me?
Again, you can complain to his senior if it is a matter of breach of duty or discipline. But if it is anything more serious than that or amounts to a crime then you can file a complaint against him at a police station or go straight to the local judicial magistrate and file a complaint.
- But if I file a complaint with the local police station they may refuse to take it against their own officer?
Yes, that does happen often. But it need not be the end of the matter. You can take a complaint about rude or discourteous behaviour or neglect of duty or abuse of police power to the chief of police or if it amounts to a crime you can take it to the nearest magistrate.
- But it is so difficult to take matters to court and it also takes very long!
To make it simpler to bring complaints against the police and to make the process easier and quicker some states have setup police complaints authorities. They are special bodies who only look at complaints about the police from the public. In addition, anyone who has a complaint against the police can take it to the many other commissions that have been setup at the national level and in the states. These include: The National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions; the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission; the National Commission for Women and similar state commissions; and the Commission for children. For issues related to corruption there is the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Vigilance Commission, Lok Ayuktas and the State Vigilance Departments. These commissions will look into your complaint, make inquiries and according to their powers can direct an FIR to be registered against the policeman or order compensation to be given to the victim.
- How do I inform the police about a crime?
If it is a serious crime like theft, house breaking, eve-teasing, assault, molesting a child, rape, kidnapping, trafficking and even rioting you can immediately file an FIR directly with the head of the local police station and they are bound to take it down in writing and give you a copy. You can even go to the magistrate with your complaint and he will register it.
- What is an FIR?
FIR is the short form for First Information Report. A victim, witness or any other person knowing about a “cognisable” offence can file an FIR. According to FIR statement the police will make inquiries about the matter and gather facts to see if it can be converted into a case.
- Do I have to go only to the local police station or can I file my FIR with any police station?
You can file an FIR in any police station. But it is better to go to the local police station in whose jurisdiction the crime occurred because they can swing into action faster. If you file in any other police station the police are bound to make an entry of the complaint and send it to the concerned police station. They cannot refuse to file your FIR saying that the crime did not happen in their jurisdiction.
- Can the police refuse to file my complaint?
Yes and no. In India crimes are divided into those that are “cognisable” and “noncognisable”. A “cognisable” crime is for example murder, rape, rioting, dacoity, etc. which means that the police can take notice of them directly, register an FIR and begin to make inquiries. A “noncognisable” crime is for example cheating, fraud, forgery, bigamy, selling underweight or adulterated food or creating a public nuisance, which means that the investigation will start only when a magistrate has taken the complaint on record and directs the police to investigate. Understanding this rough division is that crimes that need a more urgent response can be complained of directly to the police and others go to the magistrate. So, even if the police can not take your complaint on board they should at the very least listen to you, enter your matter in the daily diary, give you a signed copy of the entry, free of cost, and direct you to take it to the magistrate.
- Suppose my complaint is about a “cognisable” offence but the station house officer refuses to register it. Then what can I do?
You can still get it registered by taking the complaint to a senior officer/head of district police or to the nearest judicial magistrate and they will order it to be registered. To make sure that your complaint is on record and will be followed up, hand deliver the complaint or if you send it by post, register AD it. In any case, always get a receipt that proves that it has been received and keep that safely. That will show that the complaint has been actually received by the concerned officer. That takes care of your complaint but you should also complain about the difficulty you have had in registering your matter in the first place. That way the officer is less likely to do it again.
- What must be put down in an FIR?
The FIR is your version of the facts as you know them or as they have been told to you. It is always better if you know the facts first-hand but it is not necessary that you yourself are the witness to the offence. Either ways, you must only give correct information. Never exaggerate the facts or make assumptions or implications. Give the place, date and time of the occurrence. Carefully, describe the role of every person involved: where they were, what they were doing, the sequence of what was being done by each person, any kind of injury or damage to property that has been done. Do not forget to mention the kinds of weapons involved. It is best to get all these facts and circumstances recorded as soon as possible. If there is some delay in recording a complaint make sure the reason for the delay is also written down.
- How can I be sure that the police have written what I told them correctly?
Remember that the FIR is your version of what you know. It is not the police version of anything. The police are just there to take it down accurately without adding anything or taking out anything. The law actually calls for the police officer to read the FIR out to you and it is only once you agree with what is written that you need to sign it. The police must also give you a true copy of it free of cost. The FIR is recorded in the FIR register and a copy goes to the senior officer and to the magistrate.
- What happens once my FIR is filed?
The FIR sets the police investigations in motion. As a part of that, the police may speak to victims and witnesses, record statements including dying declarations, checkout the crime scene, send articles for forensic examination and bodies for post-mortem as necessary, question several people and with each lead make further investigations. Once investigations are complete, the officer in charge must make a full record of it. This is called a challan or charge sheet.
- What is a challan or charge sheet?
After all investigations are done the officer in charge will look at the facts and decide if there is enough evidence to show that a crime has been committed and record it in the charge sheet for the prosecution and the court. If all the elements of a crime are not made out it will be a waste of time to bring the accused to court. The prosecution and the court will examine the charge sheet independently to see if a possible crime is made out.
- Will the police automatically arrest everyone named in the FIR?
No, and they should not. Just because someone is named in an FIR is no reason to arrest a person. It is only when there is sufficient ground for believing that a person may have committed a crime that the police can arrest him.
- Can the police close my complaint and not take further action?
Yes. If after making their own inquiries the police decide that there are no facts that support the idea that a crime was committed or there is not enough evidence to support allegations or acknowledge that a crime has been committed but the people who did it are not known – then they can close the case after giving reasons to the court. They must also inform you of their decision. You, then, have a chance of opposing the closure before the court.
- Will I be kept informed of the progress of my case?
There is nothing specific in the law that mandates the police officer to keep you informed about the progress of a case. But it is good practice to tell a complainant how the case is going provided it does not compromise the investigation.
- What can I do if the police is not investigating the matter or are slow or refusing to examine the most obvious lines of inquiry?
There is an important principle in law that no one can interfere with police investigation. That said, if the police refuse to move forward or do it excessively slowly or willfully disregard obvious lines of inquiry you can certainly complain to senior officers or to the nearest magistrate who can order the police officer to investigate and he can as well call for the record of investigation. Again, it is important for you to ensure that everything is done in writing and a record of receipt is kept with you.
- Can I call a police officer whenever I want?
Yes and no. The police are overworked and their numbers are few, so the public cannot constantly call them up with frivolous complaints and unsubstantiated information. However, of course you can call the police if you are in trouble, if a crime has occurred or is occurring, if there is likelihood of some riot, if some people are fighting and there is likelihood of disorder, or if you have serious information to give them. But you can not call for things that are not connected with their job. Sometimes people play mischief and call the police even if nothing has happened. You can be punished for such pranks.
- Can a police officer come into my home unannounced and search my home and take things away?
Only in certain very restricted situations. If the police come to your house for questioning they can enter only at your invitation. However, even if the police have reasonable grounds for believing that you are hiding a suspector criminal, or you have stolen property or an illegal weapon in your home, they can only enter your house with a search warrant from a magistrate. But if the suspect, criminal or object needs to be obtained without any delay and there is fear it will be lost without seizure then they can enter your house without a warrant.
- You mean the police can just enter my house and take away anything?
No. It is only when there is real urgency – for example there is a real possibility that a suspect will run away or if evidence is likely to be destroyed – that the police can enter your house without a warrant. With or without a warrant, there is a complete procedure to be followed. The police must have at least two independent local witnesses with them. The search must be made in the presence of the owner. The owner can not be told to leave. The police must list what they are taking. The witnesses, police and owner must sign, verifying what is being taken. A copy must be left with the owner. If there are purdah women in the house a woman officer must be part of the search party and they must conduct the search with strict regard to decency.
- What is a search warrant?
People’s homes and offices are private places and can not be open to searches and entry from any authority without some really good reason. So, the law requires any one wanting to enter to explain why they find it necessary to disturb. The police therefore have to go before a magistrate and explain the reasons why they think that goods, papers or people that are hidden in the premises will help them solve a crime. If the magistrate is convinced that the police officer is not on a “fishing inquiry” he will give the authority. The authority is very limited and gives the name and rank of the particular officer allowed to enter the particular premises and is issued under the sign and seal of the court.
- If I am walking down the street, can a police officer stop me and ask me anything he likes?
No. In general the police are not supposed to interfere with people going about their lawful business. But if they think that someone is loitering in a place especially after dark, he is entitled to stop and question you. If there is something suspicious or fishy about the whole thing then you can be arrested. Police use this power often as a means of rounding up suspected persons and habitual offenders. The over-use of this power has often been discussed by reform committees and condemned.
- Can the police stop me from being part of a procession or street meeting?
No one can stop you from taking part in a peaceful procession. But ideally a procession must have prior permission from the local police. If they feel that a procession is likely to become disorderly or violent then they can refuse permission to hold it in the first place. If the procession later becomes disorderly then the police can stop it, ask the people to leave and take action if they do not disperse. It is the duty of the police to ensure that things remain peaceful and facilitate citizens in exercising their fundamental right to hold peaceful public meetings.
- Can the police use force in breaking up a street meeting or procession?
Yes. Police has to be reasonable in its action. It is there duty to ensure public safety and see to it that law and order are not breached. According to the rule, police can use force only as a last resort in controlling a crowd. If it must be used at all, it must be minimal, proportionate to the situation and discontinued at the earliest possible moment. In fact, the police can not use any force without the approval of executive magistrate. The magistrate has to be present and order to use force. Police can then decide how much force is needed.
- Can the police fire at will?
Not at all. Deadly force is meant to be used only on very rare instances when all other means of control have been tried and exhausted. Again, there must be a magistrate present who approves such action.
- So, what can the police do if the crowd is unruly and throw stones or damage property?
It is the duty of the police to protect life and property but there is a sequence to how they have to go about with their actions. First, several warnings with time limit to obey have to be given to the crowd to disperse. After which tear gas may be used or a lathi charge resorted to with another warning. The police can not rain down lathi blows on head and shoulders. They must be aimed below the waist. If the police are going to have to resort to firing there has to be a clear and distinct warning that firing will be effective. Here too the rule is to use minimal force. So, firing must aim low and at the most threatening part of the crowd with a view not to cause fatalities but to disperse the crowd. As soon as the crowd show signs of breaking up the firing must stop. The injured must be assisted to the hospital immediately. Of course, every individual officer has to make a report of his role for the record.
- Can the police hold me in a secret place or not tell anyone that they have got me?
No. The police are known to do this often but this is against the law. As soon as the police take you into their custody, your physical well-being and the protection of your rights becomes their responsibility. If you come to any harm or your rights are not respected but violated in any way the police are responsible. This is an important legal point to be kept in mind. Next, the fact that the police are duty-bound to make a record of all those who come to the station in their station’s general diary will indicate what time you were brought in for questioning and when the arrest was made. This will also be in the case diary of the investigating officer. The police control room must also display an updated list of all those arrested in the last 12 hours. Finally, the fact that you are entitled to a lawyer during your interrogation means that your place of custody must be known and accessible to friends or relatives.
- Can the police officer hold me at the police station or can I leave when I want?
Unless you have been formally arrested for good reason you can not be held in custody against your will. If the police have summoned you for questioning you have a duty to cooperate with them and help them with their inquiries. But the questioning has to be prompt, efficient and can not go endlessly. The police can not make you wait endlessly at the police station. In any case, you can leave when you want.
- Suppose the police officer does not let me go, what can I do?
Keeping you in custody against your will even for a moment if you are not under formal arrest is a serious offence. It is called illegal detention and either you or your family or friends can complain about the officer to his senior or even the magistrate. Most importantly, you can go to the high court or even the Supreme Court immediately through your lawyer, family or friend and file a habeascorpus petition seeking your immediate release.
- What does ‘habeas corpus’ mean?
This is a very old remedy against people being picked up by agents of powerful rulers and being helpless to protect themselves. It literally means “produce the body”. It is a most practical remedy against wrongful detention. The courts – either the High court or the Supreme Court, deal with it on an urgent basis. Once the court gets an application indicating a disappearance that shows that the victim was last seen in the custody of the police, the court will ask the police to produce the person before it immediately and release him if the detention can not be justified. If the detention has been illegal then the court can even grant compensation to the victim.
- Is there any other way of finding out about a person who has been arrested illegally and his whereabouts are not known?
Yes. You can file a Right to Information application at the police station asking for the whereabouts of the person. Since the information is related to the life and liberty of a person, the police are bound to give you the information within 48 hours.
- Can a police officer arrest me for any reason?
No. Police can arrest only if there is sound reason for the arrest. Say, if a person is caught red handed in the middle of some wrongdoing, or if several circumstances in the investigation point finger of suspicion towards him, or a person is found to be helping someone else with a crime before, during or after its occurrence, then he can be arrested. There has to be a “good reason” for making an arrest. Just because someone has named someone else in an FIR can not be a reason for arrest. There has to be something more in the form of evidence to arrest you. Experts have repeatedly pointed out that as many as 60% of all arrests are unnecessary or unreasonably made.
- If the police suspect me of committing a crime can they also arrest my family members?
No, never. There is no guilt by association. Each person’s guilt or innocence has to be judged by their own individual actions and not because they are close to or related to someone else who is a suspect. No one’s freedom can be taken away except for a specific lawful reason. The police can not threaten family members or friends or take them into custody as bargaining tools. This kind of hostage – taking would amount to serious crimes of illegal detention or kidnapping, at a minimum. No matter how difficult the case, the police are trying to solve, they can not resort to illegal practices in order to put pressure on the suspect to give himself up or make a confession. The only people who can be arrested are those against whom there is a reasonable ground for thinking they have committed a crime.
- Are there special rules for arrest and treatment of women in custody?
Absolutely! No woman can be arrested between sunset and sunrise unless there are very special reasons for doing so. Even then, special permission must be given in writing by a magistrate after he is satisfied that there are reasons for allowing this. A woman police officer has to be present with the police making the arrest. The woman has to be kept in a separate lock-up in the police station and any examination, body search, etc. has to be done by a woman officer or doctor. It is in the best interests of the police officers themselves to make sure that all procedures relating to women are carefully followed and records are meticulously kept. The law says that if a woman in custody complains of rape, it will be accepted unless the police officer can prove that it did not happen.
- What about children? Is there some special procedure for them?
Under the general law, children under seven years cannot be accused of a crime, so naturally they cannot be taken into police custody. However, the procedure for questioning, apprehension, custody, release, bail, of children up to the age of 18 is governed by the Juvenile Justice [Care and Protection of Children] Act, 2002. Each police station must have a juvenile police unit with specially trained officers. They are responsible for the care and well being of the child who must not be kept in the lock-up at all. Instead, the child must immediately be handed back to the parents on bail and their assurances. If the parents are not available, or it is felt that the child is at risk of falling in to bad company, then the child must be sent to the local observations home till he/she is brought before the juvenile court. The main principle that governs the treatment of a child in conflict with the law is that all processes must have a child-friendly approach “in the best interest of the child for their ultimate rehabilitation”.
- If the police arrest me, can they keep me for as long as they like?
Absolutely not. The longest time anyone can be kept in custody in a police station is for 24 hours. That is the maximum. The police must produce anyone in their custody before the magistrate with all the necessary papers that justify the arrest before the 24 hours are up and not later than that.
- How then, are people arrested on Friday evening and kept in custody until the following Monday?
The excuse for continuing with this illegal practice is for the police to say that there is no magistrate available over the weekend. But in reality there is always a magistrate on duty available 24 x 7. A person in custody whose 24 hour time limit is ending after regular court hours can always be produced before the magistrate at his home. The magistrate cannot refuse to see the suspect.
- How will anyone know where I am?
The law has several safeguards against you getting lost in the system. As soon as the police arrests you they have to do several things. They must prepare what is called a “memo of arrest” and send it to the local magistrate. They must ensure that you can immediately get a lawyer of your own or from the legal aid system. They must inform a family member or friend of your choosing about where you are. All these things have been fixed by law to reduce the chances of abuse of power by the police. If the police does not follow these rules they become answerable to the courts.
- What use is a “memo of arrest” to me?
It is a safeguard against illegal detention. The memo of arrest must have your name, time, date and place of arrest, reasons for the arrest and what the suspected offence is. It has to be signed by the police, two witnesses and you to make sure that the record gives a truthful account of the facts. It is given to the magistrate and when the magistrate meets you for the first time he will double-check if what has been said is correct. The police also have to make up an “inspection memo”.
- What is an inspection memo?
It is a short description of your physical condition when you were taken into custody. It is expected to record your general physical condition and note major and minor injuries. Again, it has to be signed by you and the arresting officer and a copy is given to you. But the difference between this memo and the memo of arrest is that you have to request for it. Otherwise it need not be done. This procedure is meant to ensure that there is no beating or torture in custody. But it is not clear who has to examine you. If the arresting officer himself is examining you there is little protection that a piece of paper can give. However, since an approved doctor’s certificate has also to be given to the magistrate with all the other papers at the first appearance, a doctor must examine you and make a statement about your physical condition before you are first produced before a magistrate.
- How am I supposed to know all this?
According to law, at the time of arrest the police are supposed to inform you of all your rights. In addition, the guidelines mentioned above, which are sometimes called the D.K. Basu guidelines after the Supreme Court case that shaped them, have to be displayed on boards at all police stations and chowkis.
- Can the police officer beat me in custody?
No. He cannot beat you, slap you, threaten or intimidate you in custody. It is against the law and the police officer can be punished for it.
- Can the police officer force me to make a confession?
No. The police officer has alright to question you but he cannot force you to say anything you have no information about, anything you do not want to say, or confess to some crime that you have not committed. A confession made to a police officer will not in any case be admissible in court.
- Can the police do their jobs of arresting the guilty with so many restrictions?
First of all it is not the job of the police to decide who is guilty and who is not. The job of the police is only to apprehend or catch suspects and accused people. But they cannot behave as if the person is already guilty and they have the right to punish them. That is a job of the courts. Meanwhile, people in custody must be given every protection from false accusations and mistreatment. That is why the “restrictions”. Actually they are not restrictions at all, but just procedures designed to make sure that everyone has a fair chance before the courts.
- But aren’t there too many rights for the accused person? What about the victims?
A lot of people think that no one is looking after the victim. But actually the whole might of the state is behind the victim. It is on behalf of victim that the state goes about looking for the criminal, appoints a prosecutor to argue before the court and the state punishes the guilty. But the accused stands alone. He may not be guilty at all. So to balance the power of the state against one individual who has to defend himself, the law has created safeguards and given facilities like free legal aid to those who cannot afford it.
- Can I get bail from the police?
It depends. If you have been arrested for a bailable offence then you can get bail from the police. But if you are arrested for a non-bailable offence then the police cannot release you on bail.
- Is it important to know what is a “bailable” and “non-bailable” offence?
Yes. Bailable offences are less serious offences in which bail is a right. In such cases you must get bail immediately from the police. Non-bailable offences are serious offences where bail is a privilege and only the courts can grant it.
- Will I never get bail if I am accused of a non-bailable offence?
No, not necessarily. You can get bail even for non-bailable offences. You have to make an application for bail before the court. The court will look at the seriousness of the offence, whether you will run away if released on bail, whether you will threaten witnesses or tamper with the evidence. If the court feels that you will not do any of the above then it will grant you bail.
- Does that mean I am now free?
No. You will still have to face the trial during which time the court will decide whether you are guilty or innocent.
