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§51

Medical Examination of an Arrested Person

Plain-English Summary — Not Verbatim Statutory Text

Allows a registered medical practitioner to examine an arrested person to collect evidence relevant to the offence — such as injuries or other physical evidence — to aid the investigation.

  • Cuts both ways: it can help build a case, but it also creates an official record of your physical condition at the time of arrest.

That official medical record can protect you too — it's evidence if you're later mistreated in custody.

Case Law

How courts have applied this

D.K. Basu v. State of West BengalAIR 1997 SC 610 — Established medical examination as one of the core custodial safeguards. Verify this case

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.