The police must inform a relative, friend, or another person named by the arrested person about the arrest and the place they're being held.
- This is a statutory right, not just a courtesy — you can insist on it.
This is your legal basis for insisting on "my one phone call" — it's a real right, not just something from the movies.
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Right to Know the Grounds of Arrest
This matches Article 22(1) of the Constitution — you can directly ask "why am I being arrested," and the officer is legally required to answer.
No Detention Beyond 24 Hours
Mirrors Article 22(2) of the Constitution — a firm limit on how long you can be held without judicial oversight.
This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.