Skip to content
Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter V: Arrest Of Persons

Section 53 BNSS: Examination of arrested person by medical officer

Corresponding CrPC
Section 54 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) When any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of the Central Government or a State Government, and in case the medical officer is not available, by a registered medical practitioner soon after the arrest is made:

Provided that if the medical officer or the registered medical practitioner is of the opinion that one more examination of such person is necessary, he may do so:

Provided further that where the arrested person is a female, the examination of the body shall be made only by or under the supervision of a female medical officer, and in case the female medical officer is not available, by a female registered medical practitioner.

(2) The medical officer or a registered medical practitioner so examining the arrested person shall prepare the record of such examination, mentioning therein any injuries or marks of violence upon the person arrested, and the approximate time when such injuries or marks may have been inflicted.

(3) Where an examination is made under sub-section (1), a copy of the report of such examination shall be furnished by the medical officer or registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, to the arrested person or the person nominated by such arrested person not available, by a registered medical practitioner soon after the arrest is made:

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Requires an arrested person to be examined by a medical officer in Central or State Government service, or a registered medical practitioner if none is available, soon after arrest. A woman is examined only by or under a female medical officer or practitioner. The examiner must record any injuries and their approximate time, and a copy of the report goes to the arrested person or a nominated person.

Chapter V: Arrest Of Persons

  1. 35 When police may arrest without warrant
  2. 36 Procedure of arrest and duties of officer making arrest
  3. 37 Designated police officer
  4. 38 Right of arrested person to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation
  5. 39 Arrest on refusal to give name and residence
  6. 40 Arrest by private person and procedure on such arrest
  7. 41 Arrest by Magistrate
  8. 42 Protection of members of Armed Forces from arrest
  9. 43 Arrest how made
  10. 44 Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested
  11. 45 Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions
  12. 46 No unnecessary restraint
  13. 47 Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and of right to bail
  14. 48 Obligation of person making arrest to inform about arrest, etc., to relative or friend
  15. 49 Search of arrested person
  16. 50 Power to seize offensive weapons
  17. 51 Examination of accused by medical practitioner at request of police officer
  18. 52 Examination of person accused of rape by medical practitioner
  19. 53 Examination of arrested person by medical officer
  20. 54 Identification of person arrested
  21. 55 Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without warrant
  22. 56 Health and safety of arrested person
  23. 57 Person arrested to be taken before Magistrate or officer in charge of police station
  24. 58 Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours
  25. 59 Police to report apprehensions
  26. 60 Discharge of person apprehended
  27. 61 Power, on escape, to pursue and retake
  28. 62 Arrest to be made strictly according to Sanhita
ShareWhatsAppTelegramLinkedInX