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SUMMARYOFALLPAPERSONTOPICB
WARRANTSARREST,REMANDANDCOMMITTAL.
WARRANTS
Introduction:
1.

The term warrant is not defined in the Code of Criminal

Procedure. As per concise Oxford dictionary, Warrant is an official

authorizationenablingthepoliceorsomeotherbodytomakeanarrest,
searchpremisesetc.ThusitisanorderorwritoftheCourtdirectingand
empoweringaparticularperson/authoritytoexecutethedirectionsinthe
warrant. Such direction may be of several kinds such as to arrest, to
search, to receive an accused into custody, to direct to produce an
accused/prisoner before the Court issuing the directions or before the
superiorcourtfortrial.
2.

LegalProvisionsrelatingtoWarrant:ChapterVIofCodeof

CriminalProceduredealswithprocesstocompelappearance.Thewarrant
maybeissuedtoPoliceOfficeroranyotherpersontoexecutethesame.
AsperSec.70ofCr.P.C.,everywarrantofarrestissuedbythecourtshall
besignedbythePresidingOfficerofsuchcourtandshallbearsealofthe
courtandeverysuchwarrantshallremaininforceuntilitiscanceledby
thecourtwhichissuedoruntilitisexecuted.TheHon'bleApexCourtin
caseofStateVs.DawoodIbrahimKaskar,AIR1997S.C.2494hasheld
that,eveninthecourseofinvestigationandbeforetakingthecognizance
ofthecasewarrantcanbeissued.
3.

TypesofWarrant:

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InCriminalProcedureCodethereisnodescriptionoftypesof
warrant. In day to day business we find that, there are two types of
warrantthoseareBailableandNonbailable.Sec.71dealswithbailable
warrants.AsperSec.71anycourtissuingawarrantforthearrestofany
personmayinitsdiscretiondirectbyanendorsementonthewarrantthat
ifsuchpersonexecutesabondwithsufficientsuretiesforhisattendance
beforethecourtataspecifiedtimeandthereafteruntilotherwisedirected
bythecourt,theofficertowhomthewarrantisdirectedshalltakesuch
securityandshallreleasesuchpersonfromcustody.Theendorsementshall
statethenumberofsureties,amountinwhichtheyandthepersonfor
whose arrest warrant issued, are to be respectively bound, the time at
whichheistoattendbeforethecourt.Wheneversecurityistakenunder
thissection,theofficerwhomwarrantisdirectedshallforwardthebond
tothecourt.
4.

Nonbailable warrant is other than the bailable warrant.

Section73,whichappearsinthesaidChapter,dealswithissueofwarrants
against persons. Subsection (1) of Section 73 provides that the Chief
JudicialMagistrateoraMagistrateoftheFirstClassmaydirectawarrant
toanypersonwithinhislocaljurisdictionforthearrestofanyescaped
convict,proclaimedoffenderorofanypersonwhoisaccusedofanon
bailable offence and is evading arrest. Subsection (3) of Section 73
providesthat,whenthepersonagainstwhomsuchwarrantisissuedis
arrested,heshall be made overwith the warranttothe nearestpolice
officer, who shall cause him to be taken before a Magistrate having
jurisdictioninthecase,unlesssecurityistakenunderSection71.

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5.

Inareportedjudgment InderMohanGowswamyandAnr.

Vs.StateofUttaranchalandothersreportedin(2007)12SCC1,the
Hon'ble Apex court held that Nonbailable warrant normally not to be
issued if presence of accused could be secured. It is further held that,
issuance of Nonbailable warrant involves interference with personal
liberty.ArrestandImprisonmentmeansdeprivationofthemostprecious
rightofanindividual.Thereforethecourtshavetobeextremelycareful
beforeissuingnonbailablewarrants.TheHon'bleApexcourtfurtherheld
thatnonbailablewarrantshouldbeissuedtobringthepersontocourt
when summons and bailable warrant would be unlikely to have the
desiredresult.Thiscouldbereasonabletobelievethatthepersonwilling
toappearincourtorthePoliceauthoritiesareunabletofindthepersonto
servehimwithsummonsoritisconsideredthatthepersoncouldharm
someoneifnotplacedintocustodyimmediately.TheHon'bleApexcourt
heldthatsometimesinthelargerinterestofthepublicandtheStateit
becomesabsolutelyimperativetocurtailthefreedomofindividualfora
certainperiod,onlythennonbailablewarrantsshouldbeissued.
6.

The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in Writ Petition no.

4429/2013 ArunKumar V/s State of Maharashtra held that, the

appearanceoftheapplicant/accusedisnotnecessaryforcancellationof
warrant.Itisheldthatthereisnolawthattheaccusedshallpersonally
remainpresentforcancellationofwarrant.Whenanapplicationismade
forcancellation ofwarrant,thesameneedstobeconsideredonmerits
withoutinsistingforappearanceoftheaccused.
7.

DutiesofOfficerexecutingwarrants:

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Sec.76providesthePoliceOfficerexecutingthewarrantshall
producethearrestedpersonimmediatelynotexceeding24hoursbefore
the Magistrate. The Police Officer executing the warrants shall
communicatethesubstanceofwarranttothesaidpersonorshowwarrant
tohim.ThewarrantsareexecutablethroughouttheIndia.
8.

ExecutionofWarrantsoutsideJurisdiction:
Aspersec.78(1)itmaybesentbypost,totheMagistrateor

District Superintendent of Police or Commissioner of Police within the

locallimitsofwhosejurisdictionitistobeexecuted.Whenthewarrant
executedbeyondthelocallimitsoftheCourtissuingwarrant,Executive
Magistrateorpoliceofficerinchargeofapolicestation,withinthelocal
limitsofwhosejurisdictionthewarrantistobeexecutedshallendorsehis
namethereon.Whenthewarrantofarrestexecutedoutsidethedistrict,
thepersonarrestedshallbetakenbeforetheMagistrate orDSPwithin
whosejurisdictionarrestismade.Aspersec.78(2)thecourtwhileissuing
warrant shall forward, along with the warrant, the substance of the
information against the person to be arrested together with such
documents,ifany,asmaybesufficienttoenablethecourtactingu/s.81
todecidewhetherthebailshouldorshouldnotbegrantedtotheperson.
9.

In

Raghuvansh Dewanchand BhasinVs. State of

Maharashtraand another(2012) 9 SCC791 the Hon'ble Apex court

issuedguidelinestothesubordinate courtstobeadoptedwhileissuing
NonBailableWarrants.
(a)

AlltheHighCourtsshallensurethattheSubordinateCourts
use printed and machine numbered Form No. 2 for issuing
warrantofarrestandeachsuchformisdulyaccountedfor;

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(b) Before authenticating, the court must ensure that complete

particularsofthecasearementionedonthewarrant;
(c) The presiding Judge of the court (or responsible officer
speciallyauthorizedforthepurposeincaseofHighCourts)
issuingthewarrantshouldputhisfullandlegiblesignatures
ontheprocessalsoensuringthatCourtsealbearingcomplete
particularsofthe Courtisprominentlyendorsedthereon;
(d) TheCourtmustensurethatwarrantisdirectedtoaparticular
policeofficer(orauthority)and,unlessintendedtobeopen
ended,itmustbereturnablewhetherexecutedorunexecuted,
onorbeforethedatespecifiedtherein;
(e)

Every Court must maintain a register (in the format given

below),inwhicheachwarrantofarrestissuedmustbeentered
chronologicallyandtheserialnumberofsuchentryreflected
onthetoprighthandoftheprocess;

(f)

No.warrantofarrestshallbeissuedwithoutbeingenteredin
the register mentionedabove andthe concerned court shall
periodically check/monitor the same to confirm that every
such processisalwaysreturnedtothecourtwithduereport
andplaced ontherecordoftheconcernedcase;

(g)

A register similar to the one in Clause (e) supra shall be

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maintainedattheconcernedpolicestation.TheStationHouse
OfficeroftheconcernedPoliceStationshallensurethateach
warrantofarrestissuedbytheCourt,whenreceivedisduly
entered in the said register and is formally entrusted to a
responsibleofficerforexecution;
(h) Ordinarily,theCourtsshouldnotgivealongtimeforreturnor
executionofwarrants,asexperiencehasshownthatwarrants
a prone to misuse if they remain in control of executing
agenciesforlong;
(i)

Onthedatefixedforthereturnofthewarrant,theCourtmust
insistuponacompliancereportontheactiontakenthereonby
theStationHouseOfficeroftheconcernedPoliceStationor
theOfficerInchargeoftheconcernedagency;

(j)

Thereportonsuchwarrantsmustbeclear,cogentandlegible
and duly forwarded by a superior police officer, so as to
facilitatefixingofresponsibilityincaseofmisuse;

(k)

Intheeventofwarrantforexecutionbeyondjurisdictionofthe
Courtissuingit,procedurelaiddowninSections78and79of
theCodemustbestrictlyandscrupulouslyfollowed;and

(l)

IntheeventofcancellationofthearrestwarrantbytheCourt,
theordercancelingwarrantshallberecordedinthecasefile
andtheregistermaintained.Acopythereofshallbesenttothe
concerned authority,requiring the process to be returned
unexecutedforthwith.Thedateofreceiptoftheunexecuted
warrantwillbeenteredintheaforesaidregisters.Acopyof
suchordershallalsobesuppliedtotheaccused.

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ARREST
10.

The word, 'arrest' has not been defined in an enactment

dealingwiththeoffencesincludingCodeofCriminalProcedureandIndian
PenalCode.ItisthewordderivedfromtheFrenchword'Arreter'which
meanstostoporstay.Wecansaythatthearrestisphysicallyrestraininga
personbythepersonauthorizedbyLaworCourtofLaw.TheConstitution
ofIndiaguaranteeseveryCitizentherightofliberty.Assuchlibertyisa
fundamental right of Human being, it shall not be curtailed without
followingdueProcedureestablishedbytheLaw.
11.

StatutoryprovisionsgoverningArrest:
Sec.41to60ofCr.P.C.dealwithvariousprovisionsregarding

the arrest. Sec.41 provides for the situation when police may arrest
withoutwarrant.Thissectiongiveswidepowertopoliceofficertomake
anarrestwithoutanorderfromtheMagistrateandwithoutwarrantonly
incircumstanceslimitedbytheprovisionscontainedinthesection,andit
is necessary in exercising such large powers to be cautious and
circumspect.Whatisareasonablecomplaintorsuspicionmustdependon
thecircumstancesofeachparticularcase,butitmustbeatleastfounded
orsomedefinitefacttendingtothrowsuspiciononthepersonarrested,
andnotamerevaguesurmiseorinformation.

12.

Classificationofarrest:
Broadlyspeakingarrestmaybeclassifiedintotwocategories

namely:
1) ArrestmadeunderwarrantissuedbyCourtsand..

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2) Arrestmadewithoutsuchwarrants.

13.

ProclaimedOffender:
A person who has been proclaimed as an offender either

underCr.P.C.orbyorderofthestateGovernment,canbearrestedbythe
policewithoutwarrant.Ifitisnotprovedthattheproclamationpublished,
mentionedinthesection,isdulypublishedthenthearrestisillegal.
Whomaybearrestedwithoutwarrantbypolice:
1) Aperson,whoispossessinganyimplementofhousebreaking.
2) A person having in his possession a property, which may
reasonably be suspected to be stolen and who reasonably is
suspectedtohavecommittedsomeoffenceP.U.Sec.379,380,
411,412ofIPC.
3) A person, who is obstructing police officer in execution of his
dutiesorwhoescapesorattemptstoescapefromlawfulcustody.
4) Aperson,whoisreasonablysuspectedorhavingrunawayfrom
armedforcesofunion.
14.

OffencecommittedoutsideIndia

Apoliceofficercanarrestpersonwithoutwarrant,whohas
beenconcernedoragainstwhomareasonablecomplainthasbeenmade
ofhishavingbeenconcernedinanyactcommittedoutofIndia,whichif
committedinIndia,wouldhavebeenanoffenceandorwhichheisunder

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thelawofextraditionorotherwiseliabletobearrestedordetainedin
custodyinIndia.

15.

Arrestontherequisitionfromanotherpolicestation:
Police officer may arrest a person without warrant when a

writtenorverbalrequisitionisreceivedbyhimfromanotherpoliceofficer,
but can do this only when the person to be arrested might have been
arrestedbytheotherpoliceofficerwithoutwarrant.Therequisitionmust
disclosetheidentityofthepersontobearrestedandtheoffenceorthe
reasonforwhichthearrestistobemade.

16.

Direction of The Hon'ble Supreme Court while arresting

accused:
TheHon'bleSupremeCourtincaseofD.K.BasuV/s.State
ofWestBengalAIR1997S.C.610issuedfollowingguidelines,
(1)Thepolicepersonnelcarryingoutthearrestandhandling
the interrogation of the arrestee should bear accurate, visible
andclearidentificationandnametagswiththeirdesignations.
The particulars of all such police personnel who handle
interrogationofthearresteemustberecordedinaregister.
(2)Thatthepoliceofficercarryingoutthearrestofthearrestee
shallprepareamemoofarrestatthetimeofarrestandsuch
memo shall be attested by atleast one witness, who may be
eitheramemberofthefamilyofthearresteeorarespectable

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personofthelocalityfromwherethearrestismade.Itshallalso
becountersignedbythearresteeandshallcontainthetimeand
dateofarrest.
(3)Apersonwhohasbeenarrestedordetainedandisbeing
held in custody in a police station or interrogation center or
otherlockup,shallbeentitledtohaveonefriendorrelativeor
other person known to him or having interest in his welfare
beinginformed,assoonaspracticable,thathehasbeenarrested
andisbeingdetainedattheparticularplace,unlesstheattesting
witness of the memo of arrest is himself such a friend or a
relativeofthearrestee.
(4)Thetime,placeofarrestandvenueofcustodyofanarrestee
mustbenotifiedbythepolicewherethenextfriendorrelative
of the arrestee lives outside the district or town through the
LegalAidOrganisationintheDistrictandthepolicestationof
theareaconcernedtelegraphicallywithinaperiodof 8to12
hoursafterthearrest.
(5) The person arrested must be made aware of this right to
havesomeoneinformedofhisarrestordetentionassoonashe
isputunderarrestorisdetained.
(6)Anentrymustbemadeinthediaryattheplaceofdetention
regardingthearrestofthepersonwhichshallalsodisclosethe
nameofthenextfriendofthepersonwhohasbeeninformedof
thearrestandthenamesandparticularsofthepoliceofficialsin

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whosecustodythearresteeis.
(7)Thearresteeshould,wherehesorequests,bealsoexamined
atthetimeofhisarrestandmajorandminorinjuries,ifany
present on his/her body, must be recorded at that time. The
"InspectionMemo"mustbesignedbothbythearresteeandthe
policeofficereffectingthearrestanditscopyprovidedtothe
arrestee.
(8)Thearresteeshouldbesubjectedtomedicalexaminationby
atraineddoctorevery48hoursduringhisdetentionincustody
by a doctor on the panel of approved doctors appointed by
Director, Health Services of the concerned State or Union
Territory.Director,HealthServicesshouldpreparesuchapenal
forallTehsilsandDistrictsaswell.
(9)Copiesofallthedocumentsincludingthememoofarrest,
referredtoabove,shouldbesenttotheillaqaMagistrateforhis
record.
(10)Thearresteemaybepermittedtomeethislawyerduring
interrogation,thoughnotthroughouttheinterrogation.
(11)Apolicecontrolroomshouldbeprovidedatalldistrictand
stateheadquarters,whereinformationregardingthearrestand
theplaceofcustodyofthearresteeshallbecommunicatedby
theofficercausingthearrest,within12hoursofeffectingthe
arrestandatthepolicecontrolroomitshouldbedisplayedona
conspicuousnoticeboard.

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Failure to do so would cause necessary action against the

erringofficer.TheguidelinesoftheHonbleSupremeCourtinD.K.Basus
casearefindingplaceinamendedCr.P.C.underSection41B,41Cand41
D.

17.

Procedureforarrestingafemale:
TheHon,bleApex courtin StateofMaharastraV/s.CCW

Council of IndiaAIR
2004 S.C. 7 observed that , While arresting a
femaleperson,alleffortsshouldbemadetokeepaladyconstablepresent,
but in circumstance, where the arresting officers is reasonably satisfied
that,suchpresenceofaladyconstableisnotavailableorpossibleandor
thedelayinarrestingcausedbysecuringthepresenceofaladyconstable
wouldimpedethecourseofinvestigationsucharrestingofficerforreasons
toberecordedeitherbeforethearrestorimmediatelyafterthearrestbe
permittedtoarrestafemalepersonforlawfulreasonsatanytimeofthe
day or nightdepending on circumstances of the case even withoutthe
presenceofladyconstable.

18.

In Criminal Writ Petition No.1849/2011, Sandip Sagar

V/s.SateofMaharastra, Hon'bleBombayHighCourtheldthat, asper

Section202ofMotorVehicleAct,apoliceofficerinuniformmayarrestan
offendercommittinganoffenceP.U.Sec.184,185or197ofMotorVehicle
Act.

19.

Arrestundertheprovisionofsection42ofCr.P.C.:

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Section42laysdownthatapoliceofficercanarrestaperson
if a person commits an offence in his presence or where he has been
accusedofcommittinganoncognizableoffenceandrefuses,ondemand
beingmadebyapoliceofficertogivehisnameandresidenceorgives
falsenameorresidence,suchpersonmaybearrestedbutsucharrestshall
be only for the limited purpose of ascertaining his true name and
residence. After such ascertaining, he shall be released on executing a
bondwithorwithoutsureties,toappearbeforeamagistrateifsorequired.
In case the name and residence of such person cannot be ascertained
within24hoursfromthedateofarrestorifsuchpersonfailstoexecutea
bondasrequired,heshallbeforwardedtothenearestmagistratehaving
jurisdiction.

20.

Arrestundertheprovisionofsection43ofCr.P.C.:
A private person may arrest or cause to be arrested any

person, who commits a nonbailable and cognizable offence in his

presenceoranyproclaimedoffender;andshalltakepersontothepolice
officerorinabsenceofpoliceofficer,tothenearestpolicestation.

21.

Arrestundertheprovisionofsection44ofCr.P.C.:
Section 44 of Cr. P. C. empowers Magistrate judicial or

executivetoarrestortogetarrestedanypersonintwocircumstances
1) When any offence cognizable or noncognizable, bailable, non
bailable,iscommittedinhispresencewithinhislocaljurisdiction.

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2) In his presence, within his local jurisdiction, of any person for

whosearrestheiscompetentatthetimeandinthecircumstances
toissueawarrant.
22.

Arrestundertheprovisionofsection45ofCr.P.C.:
Section 45 of Cr. P. C. lays down that notwithstanding

anythingcontainedinsection41to44,amembersofarmedforcesofthe
unionshallnotbearrestedforanythingdoneindischargeofhisofficial
duty except after obtaining consent of central government. The state
government may also by notification grant similar exemption to such
membersofStateforces.

23.

Arrestundertheprovisionofsection47ofCr.P.C.:
Section47ofCr.P.C.conferspowertosearchofplacesin

possessionofthirdpersonforthearrestofperson,whoappearstohave
enteredthere.Therearetwosortsofpersonswhocanmakesuchaentry
forsearch.
1) Anyperson(policeorotherpersons)havingwarrantofarrest.
2) Anypoliceofficerthoughhavingnowarrantbutauthoritytoarrest
withoutwarrant.(Section41oftheAct.)
24.

Section48ofCr.P.C.authorizeapoliceofficertopursuethe

offender whomhe isauthorizedtoarresttoanyplace inIndia for the

purposeofeffectinghisarrest.
25.

Mandatoryprovision:

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Undersection50ofCr.P.C.thepoliceofficeroranyperson
arrestinganypersonwithoutwarrantisboundtocommunicatehimfull
particularsofoffenceforwhichheisarrestedoranyothergroundforhis
arrest. Similarly if the arrest is for the bailable offence, the person
effectingarrestshallinformthepersonarrestedthatheisentitledforbail.
Provision of section 50 is mandatory, non compliance shall vitiate the
arrest. Section 50A provides person making arrest shall forthwith give
information regarding such arrest and place where arrested person is
beingheldtoanyofhisfriends,relatives,orsuchotherpersonnominated
bythearrestedperson.Entryofsameshallbemadeinbooktobekeptin
the police station. It further cast duty on Magistrate before whom the
arrestedpersonisbroughttosatisfyhimselfthattherequirementsofsub
section(2)and(3)havebeencompliedwith.
26.

Recentlyin ArneshKumarV/s.StateofBihar(2014)8

SCC273 Hon'bleSupremeCourtdirectedpolicemachinerynottoarrest
accusedunnecessarily.Hon'bleApexCourthasgivenfollowingdirections:
1) All the State Governments to instruct its police officers not to
automaticallyarrestwhenacaseunderSection498AoftheIPCis
registeredbuttosatisfythemselvesaboutthenecessityforarrest
undertheparameters laid down above flowing fromSection
41,Cr.P.C;
2) All police officers be provided with achecklistcontaining
specifiedsubclausesunderSection41(1)(b)(ii);
3) The police officer shall forward the check list duly filed and

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furnishthereasonsandmaterialswhichnecessitatedthearrest,
while forwarding/producing the accused before the Magistrate
forfurtherdetention;
4) TheMagistratewhileauthorisingdetentionoftheaccusedshall
perusethereportfurnishedbythepoliceofficerintermsaforesaid
and only after recording its satisfaction, the Magistrate will
authorisedetention;
5) The decision not to arrest an accused, be forwarded to the
Magistratewithintwoweeksfromthedateoftheinstitutionof
thecasewithacopytotheMagistratewhichmaybeextendedby
theSuperintendentofpoliceofthedistrictforthereasonstobe
recordedinwriting;
6) Notice of appearance in termsof Section 41(A) of Cr. P.C be
servedontheaccusedwithintwo weeks from the date of
institution of the case, which may be extended by the
Superintendent of Police of the District for the reasons to be
recordedinwriting;
7) Failuretocomplywiththedirectionsaforesaidshallapartfrom
renderingthe police officersconcerned liable for departmental
action,theyshallalso beliabletobepunishedforcontemptof
court to be instituted before High Court having territorial
jurisdiction.
8) Authorisingdetentionwithoutrecordingreasonsasaforesaidby
thejudicialMagistrateconcernedshallbeliablefordepartmental
actionbytheappropriateHighCourt.

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27.

ArrestDiscretionofthepoliceofficer:
Arrestisnotmustineverycognizablecase.Itisthediscretion

ofthepoliceofficertoarrestornottoarrest,andthediscretioncannotbe
arbitrary but it must be guided by the principles which laid down by
HonbleSupremeCourtincaseJoginderSinghV/S.StateofU.P.(1994)
4S.C.C.260.
28.

Rightofarrestedpersonofmedicalexamination:
Section54ofCr.P.C.providesforanexaminationofarrested

personbyamedicalpractitionerattherequestofarrestedpersonanditis
the right conferred on the arrested person. Accused has right to get
himselfmedicallyexaminedanditisthedutyofMagistratetoinformhim
that he has such right of medical examination, if he has complaint of
torture,illtreatment.ThisisobservationofHonourableSupremeCourt
inShilaBarseV/S.StateofMaharastraAIR1983S.C.Page378.
29.

Procedureafterthearrestwithoutwarrant.:
Sections56and57ofCr.P.C.indicatetheprocedurethatisto

befollowedafterthearrestofpersonwithoutwarrant.UnderSection56
ofCr.P.C.apoliceofficermakinganarrestwithoutwarrantisrequired,
withoutunnecessarydelayandsubjecttoprovision,astobail,totakeor
sendpersonarrestedbeforeMagistratehavingjurisdictioninthecaseor
beforetheinchargeofpolicestation.Theobjectofsectionistheaccused
personshouldbebroughtbeforeMagistratecompetenttotryorcommit
theaccusedwithinaslittledelayaspossible.

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30.

Protectionoftheinterestofthepersonarrested:
Section56and57ofCr.P.C.aremeantfortheprotectionof

theinterestofthepersonarrestedandsotheymustbestrictlyfollowed.
UnderArticle22(2)ofConstitutioneverypersonhasfundamentalrights
guaranteeinghispersonalfreedomanditisthedutyoftheCourttosafe
guardsame.Article22(1)givespersonarrestedatwofoldprotection,viz.
(1)thatanarrestedpersonshallnotbedetainedincustodywithoutbeing
toldthegroundsofsuchan arrestand(2)thatheshall beentitledto
consultandtobedefendedbyalegalpractitionerofhischoice.
31.

ItisheldbyHon'bleSupremeCourtinthecaseof Stateof

PubjabV/S.AjabSinghAIR1953S.C.10that,thepurposeofbringing
an arrested person before Magistrate is the immediate application of
judicialmindtothelegalauthorityofthepersonmakingthearrestandthe
regularityoftheprocedureadoptedbyhimandtoensurethat,arrestand
detentionisjustified.
32.

ClauseIIofArticle22providesthenextandthemostmaterial

safeguardthatthearrestedpersonmustbeproducedbeforeaMagistrate
within 24 hours of a such arrest, so that the independent authority
exercisingthejudicialpowersmaywithoutdelayapplyhismindtocase.
Wheneveritisnotdonethepersonarrestedwouldbeentitledtofilethe
writ of habeas corpus directing his release. But it is observed by the
Hon'bleSupremeCourtinthefamouscaseofMadhuLimayeV/S.State
reportedinAIR1969S.C.1014 that,beforemovingforWrithehasto
seekremedyundersection482and439ofCr.P.C.

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REMAND
33.

In order to avoid harassment to a person arrested by the

PolicetobeproducedbeforeaJudicialMagistrate,atimescheduleof24
hoursisfixedsothatpersondetainedshallbeproducedwithinthattime
andifanyPoliceOfficerdoesnotadheretothetimeschedulewithouta
reasonablecause,actionshouldbetakenagainsthim.
34.

Whenever a person is arrested and it appears that the

investigation as regards his involvement cannot be completed within

the period of twentyfour hours provided in Section 57 of Cr.P.C., the
Investigating Officer should produce him before the Magistrate with
an application for Police custody remand as per the provisions of
Section167Cr.P.C.TheMagistratemayauthorizedetentionoftheaccused
insuchcustodyforatermnotexceeding15daysandthereaftersendthe
accusedtojudicialcustodyaspersection167Cr.P.C.
35.

TheMagistratemustensurethatineveryremandapplication,

the date of arrest of the accused is recorded. It is the duty of the

Magistrate to ensure that provisions of Section 167(2) Cr.P.C are not
violated.
36.

BeforeaMagistrateauthorisesdetentionunderSection167,

Cr.PC, he has to be first satisfied that the arrest made is legal and in
accordancewithlawandalltheconstitutionalrightsofthepersonarrested
aresatisfied.Ifthearresteffectedbythepoliceofficerdoesnotsatisfythe
requirementsofSection41oftheCode,Magistrateisdutyboundnotto

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authorisehisfurtherdetentionandreleasetheaccused.
37.

A careful reading of S. 167(1), Cr.P.C. would show that an

investigatingofficercanaskforremandonlywhentherearegroundsfor
believingthattheaccusationorinformationiswellfoundedanditappears
thattheinvestigationcannotbecompletedwithintheperiodof24hours
fixedbyS.57.Therefore,itfollowsthataremandbyaMagistrateisnot
anautomaticactandsufficientgroundsmustexistfortheMagistrateto
exercisehispowersofremand.Section167requiresthatacopyofthe
entriesinthediaryshouldbeforwardedtotheMagistratealongwiththe
arrestedpersons. Iftheprimafacieaccusationorinformationisnotwell
foundedandsufficientgroundsdonotexistfortheMagistratetoexercise
hispowerofremand,insuchcases,remandofaccusedcanberefused.
38.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of CBI Special

Investigation Cell1 New Delhi V/s. Anupam Kulkarni AIR 1992 SC

1768 decision dated 08/05/1992 as held that, the accused can be
remandedtopolicecustodywithinfirst15daysandthereaftertheaccused
cannotberemandedtopolicecustody.

39.

As per section 167 (2), if the investigation in respect of

offence punishable with imprisonment up to 10 years isnot completed

within60daysoriftheinvestigationinrespectofoffencepunishablewith
imprisonmentforaperiod10yearsormoreisnotcompletedwithin90
days,thentheaccusedshallbereleasedonbailifheispreparedtoand
doesfurnishthebail.Incaseof ChangatSatyanarayanam&Ors.V/s.
StateofAndhraPradeshdateofdecision (1986)3SCC141

theHonble

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SupremeCourtheldthat,forcompetingtheperiodof60daysor90days
as the case may be the period is to be counted from the first date of
remandandnotfromthedateofarrest.

40.

Transitremand:
AtransitremandisnotspecificallydefinedundertheCode.

However,whenawarrantofarrestisexecutedoutsidethedistrictinwhich
itwasissued,andthecourtwhichissuedthewarrantisnotwithin30km
oftheplaceofarrest,thenthepersonarrestedmaybeproducedbefore
ExecutiveMagistrate,DistrictSuperintendentofPoliceorCommissionerof
Policewhoshalldirecthisremovalincustodytosuchcourt. Incaseof
bailableoffencesuchMagistrate/DSP/CPshallreleasetheaccusedon
bail,andiftheoffenceisnonbailableitshallbelawfulforChiefJudicial
MagistrateorSessionJudgetoreleaseaccusedonbail,byinvokingpowers
underSection81provisoII,subjecttotheprovisionofSection437ofCr.
P.C. In this regard judgment of Hon'ble High Court in Criminal
Application No. 402/2013, in Malti Ravindra Shah V/s. State of
Maharashtra may be referred regarding powers of granting transit
remand.
41.

Remand under The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic

SubstancesAct,1985
TheN.D.P.S.Act,asitstandsaftertheamendmentof2001
(w.e.f.2/10/2001),providesforconstitutionofSpecialCourt,fortrying
alloffencesundertheActwhicharepunishablewithimprisonmentfora
termofmorethanthreeyears. ProvisionsofremandundertheGeneral

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Codearemodifiedbyvirtue ofSection 36A(1)(b)ofthisAct,which

providesthatapersonaccusedoforsuspectedofthecommissionofan
offenceundertheActbeforwardedtoaMagistrateundersubSection2or
subSection2AofSection167oftheCode.Whereupon,Magistratemay
authorisethedetentionofsuchpersoninsuchcustodyashethinksfitfora
periodnotexceeding15daysand7daysinawholewheresuchMagistrate
isanExecutiveMagistrate.IncaseofoffencestriablebytheSpecialCourt,
the proviso to the said sub section provides that when such person
forwardedtohim;oruponoratanytimebeforetheexpiryoftheperiodof
detention authorised by him, the Magistrate considers the detention of
suchpersonisunnecessary,heshallordersuchpersontobeforwardedto
theSpecialCourthavingjurisdiction.Whensuchpersonissoforwardedto
theSpecialCourt,theSpecialCourtexercisesallthepowersofremand
conferredonMagistrateunderSection167oftheCode.
42.

Thus, under N. D. P. S. Act, for the offences triable by the

Special Court, first remand is done by the Magistrate and subsequent

ordersofremandarepassedbytheSpecialCourt.Theoffencesforsmall
quantity of contraband are punishable with imprisonment up to six
monthsR.I.OrfineofRs.10,000/orboth,whichoffencesaretriableby
theMagistrateandhenceMagistrateexercisespowersofremandunder
Section167and309(2)oftheCode.Theperiodofremandof90days
underSection167oftheCodeismodifiedwithaperiodof180days,only
fortheoffencesunderSection 19orSection24orSection27Aorfor
offencesinvolvingcommercialquantity.
43.

RemandunderTheScheduledCasteandScheduledTribes

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(PreventionofAtrocities)Act1989:
The controversy as to whether a Special Court designated
underSection14ofthisActcouldtakecognizanceofanoffence,wasset
atrestbytheHon'bleApexCourtincaseofGangulaAshokVs.Stateof
AndhraPradeshreportedinAIR2000SupremeCourt740.Ithasbeen
held that Special Court designated under Section 14 of the Act is
essentiallyaSessionsCourtandhenceitcannottakecognizanceofthe
offencesundertheActasaCourtoforiginaljurisdictionwithoutthecase
beingcommittedtoitbyaMagistrate.Thereasonassignedisthatneither
intheCodenorintheAct,thereisanyprovisiontotheeffectthatSpecial
CourtcantakecognizanceoftheoffenceasaCourtoforiginaljurisdiction.
44.

RemandunderThePreventionofCorruptionAct,1988:
Sub Section 1 of Section 5 of this Act makes provision for

takingcognizanceoftheoffencesundertheActbySpecialJudgewithout
the accused being committed to him for trial. Hence,the Special Judge
exercisespowersofremandunderSection167oftheCode.
45.

Remand under the Maharashtra Control of Organised

CrimeAct,1999:
Powers of remand under MCOCA vest with Special Judge
appointedunderSection5(3)oftheAct.ThepowerofSpecialJudgemay
notbeconferredonanyJudgeunlesshehasbeenappointedasaSpecial
orAdditionalSpecialJudgebytheStateGovernmentinconsultationwith
theChiefJusticeoftheHighCourt.
46.

RemandunderTheElectricityAct,2003:

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After the amendment done by State of Maharashtra in the

year2005,fortheStateofMaharashtraandafteramendmentofCentralin
theyear2007(w.e.f.15/06/2007),forwholeofIndia,theCourtcan
take cognizance of offences under the Act on police report filed under
Section173oftheCode.TheprovisionismadeforConstitutionofSpecial
CourtsinSection153oftheActforthepurposesofprovidingspeedytrial
ofoffencesreferredtoinsections135to140andsection150.Thesecond
proviso to Section 151 provides that special court constituted under
section153shallbecompetenttotakecognizanceofanoffencewithout
theaccusedbeingcommittedtoitfortrial.Thus,fortheaforesaidoffences
theSpecialCourtcanexercisepowersofremandunderSection167ofthe
Code.
47.

Remand under The Protection of Children From Sexual

OffencesAct,2012:
Power of remand under this Act vest with Special Judge
appointed under Section 28 of the Act. It is imperative for all police
officerstoproducetheaccusedforremandbeforethespecialCourtand
notbeforethecourtofthemagistrate.
COMMITAL
48.

Theprovisionsregardingcommitmentofcaseareprescribed

in section 209 of Cr. P. C. and Para 9 to 12 of Chapter 3 of Criminal

Manual.InallcasesinstitutedonPoliceReportsorotherwise,whenever
theaccusedappearsorisbroughtbeforetheMagistrate,anditappearsto
the Magistrate that the offence is triable exclusively by the Court of
Sessions,heshallcommitthecasetotheCourtofSessions,sendtothat

25Of27

Courttherecordofthecaseandthedocumentsandarticles,ifany,which
aretobeproducedinevidenceandnotifytothePublicprosecutorofthe
commitmentofthecasetotheCourtofSessionsunderSection209ofthe
CodeofCriminalProcedure,1973.
49.

The Magistrate should report to the Sessions Judge about

suchcasespendingbeforehim,statingthereinreasonorthereasonsasto
whyitispendingandseekingextension time required by him for that
purpose.Insuchcase,theCourtofSessionsshouldthensatisfyitselfasto
whether the reasonsstated are satisfactoryand whether the Magistrate
should be allowed extension of time. He should then issue such
instructionstotheMagistrateashedeemsproper.
50.

WheneveraMagistrate,actingunderSection333oftheCode

ofCriminalProcedure,1973,sendsfortrialbeforeCourtofSessionan
accused person regarding whose sanity at the time of committing the
offenceheentertainsanydoubt,heshallatthesametimeinformtheJail
Authorities of his opinion about the state of mind of the accused, and
orderthattheaccusedmaybeplacedundercarefulsurveillancepriorto
histrialbeforetheCourtofSession.
51.

WhenaMagistratecommitsapersonaccusedofanoffence

punishablewithdeath,heshouldquestiontheaccusedwhetherhedesires
tomakehisownarrangementforhisdefenceintheSessionsCourt,or
whetherarrangementshouldbemadebytheSessionsCourttoengagea
Lawyer on his behalf. In the latter case, the Magistrate should, when
committingthecasefortrial,intimatetheSessionsCourtaccordingly.

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52.

Whentwoormorepersonsareaccusedofthesameoffence

oroffencesarisingoutofthesametransactions,theMagistrateshouldnot
convictsomeandcommitotherstotheCourtofSession.Ifanyoneofthe
accused is charged with an offence beyond the jurisdiction of the
Magistrate,orwith,onewhichintheopinionoftheMagistrateoughttobe
triedbytheCourtofSession,alltheaccusedpersonsimplicated,against
whomthereisprimafacieevidenceshouldbecommittedfortrial.While
committingthecasetoHon'bleSessionsCourtthecommittingcourtshall
satisfyitselfthatcompliancetotheprovisionsofsection207ofCr.P.C.has
beenmade.
53.

The Form of warrant of commitment pending trial by the

CourtofSessionsisprescribedinFormNo.IIIofChapter33ofCriminal
Manual.Thatapart,therearealsootherwarrantsofcommitmentsuchas
1)WarrantofcommitmentonasentenceofimprisonmentpassedbyCourt
ofSessionsection235ofCr.P.C.asprescribedinFormNo.VofChapter
33ofCriminalManual.;2)WarrantofcommitmenttoacertifiedSchool
caseasprescribedinFormNo.XXXofChapter33ofCriminalManual.
54.

In Kamal

Krishna V/s. State 1976 Cri. L. J. 1492

(Calcutta) it is held that, the word 'shall' used under section 208 is
directoryandtheomissiontosupplycopiesinaMagistratecourtdoesnot
vitiateorderofcommitmentandtheaccusedwillnotbeprejudicedinany
way if they are supplied with the copies of the paper before Sessions
Court. In

B. J. Dhamankar V/s State of Maharashtra

MANU/MH/0101/1994 The Hon'ble Bombay High Court held that the

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committal order should be precise, clear and it must exhibit the

applicationofmindtothefactsthat:

(I)

TheMagistrateissatisfiedthattheoffencesareexclusively
triablebytheSessionsCourt.

(II)

proper order remanding the accused to judicial custody

pendingtrialhasbeenmade.

(III)

provisionsofsections207and208havebeencomplied with

(IV)

therulesandmanualsframedbytheHon'bleHighCourtin
thisregardhavebeenscrupulouslyfollowed.

55.

TheMagistrateisthefirstcourttostrikebalancebetweenthe

needsoflawenforcementontheonehandandprotectionofthecitizen
from oppression and injustice at the hands of the law enforcement
machineryontheother.Hehastodischargethisdutyverycarefullyand
cautiouslybyadheringprovisionsoflawandsecuretherightsofaccused.
WiththisIconcludethesummaryofallpapers.
CoreCommittee,
ConstitutedbyHon'bleC.M.M.,
Dated:15/11/2014.
Esplanade,Mumbai.