CrPC Section 51: Search of arrested persons
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter 5: Arrest of Persons
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ 51. Search of arrested persons.- (1) Whenever 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 whenever 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 arrests 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.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 49 (corresponding section). CrPC → BNSS converterSource: BPR&D BNSS–CrPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-07-03), p3
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: historical CrPC reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Section 135 was restored and individually checked against the linked government PDF (pages 75–76) on 2026-10-02; this is not a verification of the whole collection. Schedules and forms are not consolidated here. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 41. When police may arrest without warrant
- 41A. Notice of appearance before police officer
- 41B. Procedure of arrest and duties of officer making arrest Procedure of arrest and duties of officer making arrest
- 41C. Control room at districts
- 41D. Right of arrested person to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation
- 42. Arrest on refusal to give name and residence
- 43. Arrest by private person and procedure on such arrest
- 44. Arrest by Magistrate
- 45. Protection of members of the Armed Forces from arrest
- 46. Arrest how made
- 47. Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested
- 48. Pursuit of offenders into other jurisdictions
- 49. No unnecessary restraint
- 50. Person arrested to be informed of grounds of arrest and of right to bail
- 50A. Obligation of person making arrest to inform about the arrest to inform about the arrest, etc., to a nominated person
- 52. Power to seize offensive weapons
- 53. Examination of accused by medical practitioner at the request of police officer
- 53A. Examination of person accused of rape by medical practitioner
- 54. Examination of arrested person by medical officer
- 54A. Identification of person arrested
- 55. Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without warrant
- 55A. Health and safety of arrested person
- 56. Person arrested to be taken before Magistrate or officer in charge of police station
- 57. Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours
- 58. Police to report apprehensions
- 59. Discharge of person apprehended
- 60. Powers, on escape, to pursue and re-take
- 60A. Arrest to be made strictly according to the Code