SC says accused must be given grounds of arrest in writing in his language

THE Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the police and investigating agencies must provide the grounds of arrest in writing to accused persons and in a language they understand, irrespective of the nature of the offence or statute involved.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

"The right to be informed of the grounds of arrest is a fundamental and mandatory safeguard under Article 22(1) of the Constitution and applies to all offences, including those under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The grounds of arrest must be communicated in writing to the arrestee in the language he/she understands," said a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih.