BNSS Section 49: Search of arrested person
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 5: Arrest of Persons
Also available in: हिंदी
49. (1) Whenever,—
(i) a person is arrested by a police officer under a warrant which does not provide for the taking of bail, or under a warrant which provides for the taking of bail but the person arrested cannot furnish bail; and
(ii) a person is arrested without warrant, or by a private person under a warrant, and cannot legally be admitted to bail, or is unable to furnish bail, the officer making the arrest or, when the arrest is made by a private person, the police officer to whom he makes over the person arrested, may search such person, and place in safe custody all articles, other than necessary wearing-apparel, found upon him and where any article is seized from the arrested person, a receipt showing the articles taken in possession by the police officer shall be given to such person.
(2) Whenever it is necessary to cause a female to be searched, the search shall be made by another female with strict regard to decency.
Bare act text for reference, current to 1 July 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 35. When police may arrest without warrant
- 36. Procedure of arrest and duties of officer making arrest
- 37. Designated police officer
- 38. Right of arrested person to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation
- 39. Arrest on refusal to give name and residence
- 40. Arrest by private person and procedure on such arrest
- 41. Arrest by Magistrate
- 42. Protection of members of Armed Forces from arrest
- 43. Arrest how made
- 44. Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested
- 45. Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions
- 46. No unnecessary restraint
- 47. Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and of right to bail
- 48. Obligation of person making arrest to inform about arrest, etc., to relative or friend
- 50. Power to seize offensive weapons
- 51. Examination of accused by medical practitioner at request of police officer
- 52. Examination of person accused of rape by medical practitioner
- 53. Examination of arrested person by medical officer
- 54. Identification of person arrested
- 55. Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without warrant
- 56. Health and safety of arrested person
- 57. Person arrested to be taken before Magistrate or officer in charge of police station
- 58. Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours
- 59. Police to report apprehensions
- 60. Discharge of person apprehended
- 61. Power, on escape, to pursue and retake
- 62. Arrest to be made strictly according to Sanhita