Topics
Liberty
20 plain-language articles on liberty and your rights in India.
स्वाधीनताBail is the rule, jail the exception: how to get bail
Bailable vs non-bailable offences, which court to apply to, what to carry, what a surety is, and what to do if you cannot pay. BNSS sections explained simply.
स्वाधीनताAnticipatory bail: how to get protection before arrest
Who can apply for anticipatory bail under Sec 482 BNSS, which court, what to file, how long it lasts, when it is barred, and what to do if police still arrest.
स्वाधीनताDefault bail: when police miss the 60 or 90 day chargesheet deadline
How Sec 187 BNSS limits custody during investigation, how to count the 60/90 days, when the right arises, and how to claim it before it is lost.
स्वाधीनताPolice custody vs judicial custody: limits, rights, what to do
What police custody and judicial custody mean, the 24-hour and 15-day limits under Sec 187 BNSS, your rights in a lock-up, and what families should do.
स्वाधीनताRight to remain silent: what you must and need not tell police
Article 20(3) explained: what you can refuse to answer, why confessions to police do not count under the BSA, narco tests, and what to do at the station.
स्वाधीनताRight to a speedy trial: BNSS deadlines and remedies for delay
Why a quick trial is part of Article 21, the time limits the BNSS sets for police and courts, how to track your case, and the remedies when it stalls for years.
स्वाधीनताUndertrial prisoners: rights in jail and release under Sec 479 BNSS
Rights that stay with an undertrial in jail, how the half and one-third rules of Sec 479 BNSS work, and the steps families take to get a prisoner released.
स्वाधीनताCustodial violence: your rights and how to complain
Beaten or threatened in police custody? The safeguards at arrest, how to get injuries recorded, what to tell the Magistrate, and where to complain.
स्वाधीनताRights of prisoners in India: a family guide
What a prisoner keeps behind bars: dignity, health care, a free lawyer, family visits, wages, parole, undertrial release (Sec 479 BNSS), and how to complain.
स्वाधीनताSummons or warrant? What to do when you receive one
Court summons, police notice, bailable and non-bailable warrant: what each means, how to verify it on eCourts, what happens if you ignore it, and what to do.
स्वाधीनताPolice notice under Section 35 BNSS: what to do
Got a Section 35(3) BNSS notice (old 41A CrPC)? What it means, why it usually protects you from arrest, what to carry, how to reply, and what if you ignore it.
स्वाधीनताChargesheet: time limits, copies, default bail, what next
What a chargesheet is, the 60/90-day default bail rule, the 90-day victim update, free copies within 14 days, closure reports, and what happens after filing.
स्वाधीनताRights of crime victims in India: a practical guide
Free FIR copy, zero FIR, 90-day updates, your own lawyer, compensation through the DLSA, free treatment, a say before withdrawal, and the right to appeal.
स्वाधीनताWitness protection in India: how to apply if threatened
Threatened as a witness? How the Witness Protection Scheme 2018 and Sec 398 BNSS work, who to apply to, the five-day timelines, and what protection you can get.
स्वाधीनताPreventive detention: Article 22 safeguards and how to fight it
Detained without trial under the NSA or a State Goonda Act? Your rights to grounds, representation and an Advisory Board, the NSA deadlines, and habeas corpus.
स्वाधीनताPlea bargaining under BNSS: eligibility, 30-day rule, sentence
Who qualifies for plea bargaining, the 30-day deadline after charge is framed, how the court checks it is voluntary, how far the sentence drops, and the risks.
स्वाधीनताWhen police seize your phone or laptop
When police may take your phone, the seizure memo, video and hash value they must record, whether you must give your password, and how to get the device back.
स्वाधीनताPolice searches of your home: what the law requires
When police may search your home with or without a warrant, the witnesses, list, copy and video the BNSS requires, your rights during the search, and remedies.
स्वाधीनताChildren in conflict with the law: the juvenile justice system
When a child under 18 is accused of a crime: no lock-up, Juvenile Justice Board in 24 hours, bail as the rule, 16–18 heinous cases, privacy, clean record.
स्वाधीनताCompensation when the State violates your rights
How to claim compensation from the State for custodial death, torture, illegal detention or false prosecution: writ petitions, NHRC, BNSS remedies, key cases.