No one arrested can be held in custody beyond 24 hours without being produced before a magistrate — excluding only the time genuinely needed to travel to the magistrate's court.
- This is a hard ceiling, not a guideline the police can stretch when convenient.
Mirrors Article 22(2) of the Constitution — a firm limit on how long you can be held without judicial oversight.
Related law
The constitutional version of the same 24-hour rule
Still wondering about...
Does the 24 hours pause at night or on a holiday?
Keep exploring
Right to Have Someone Informed
This is your legal basis for insisting on "my one phone call" — it's a real right, not just something from the movies.
Police Custody & Judicial Custody Limits
Police custody isn't unlimited, and courts are actively narrowing how the extended window can be used — worth knowing if you or someone you know is in this situation.
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.