Scope of Police Custody under BNSS

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News: Supreme Court rules that Section 187(2) of the BNSS expands the scope of Police Custody under BNSS. 

About Scope of Police Custody under BNSS

Scope of Police Custody under BNSS
Source – News Click
  • The Supreme Court held that Section 187(2) of BNSS enlarges the window during which police custody may be sought.
  • Case name: The case was the State of Andhra Pradesh vs Sudesh Veera Venkata Naga Rajan.
  • Intent: The Court said that the change under the BNSS is intended for situations where fresh facts, discoveries or leads may emerge during investigation.
  • Ruling of the court:  Police custody can now be sought in parts, but the total period of police custody cannot exceed 15 days. These 15 days can be sought during:
    • the initial 40 days where the total permissible remand period is 60 days; or
    • the initial 60 days where the total permissible remand period is 90 days.
  • The Supreme Court held that a Magistrate or court cannot impose an absolute and non-extendable limit on police custody if it prevents the investigating agency from using Section 187(2) of the BNSS. 
  • Under Section 58 of the BNSS, a person arrested by the police cannot normally be detained for more than 24 hours, unless detention is authorized by a Magistrate under Section 187.
  • Section 187 also provides for judicial detention beyond 15 days when sufficient grounds exist, subject to the applicable 60-day or 90-day period.
  • Thus, the BNSS widens the time-window in which police custody may be sought, but the maximum total police custody remains 15 days.
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