CrPC Section 54: Examination of arrested person by medical officer
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Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ *[54. Examination of arrested person by medical officer. - (1) When any person is arrested, he shall be examined by a medical officer in the service of Central or State Government, and in case the medical officer is not available, by a registered medical practitioner soon after the arrest is made: Provided 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.]
¶*[Substituted by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008]
¶STATE AMENDMENT
¶Uttar Pradesh:
In section 54, the following sentence shall be inserted at the end, namely:-
¶
"The registered medical practitioner shall forthwith furnish to the arrested person a copy of the report of such examination free of cost."
¶[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 1 of 1984, section 7 (w.e.f. 1-5-1984)]
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 53 (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
- 51. Search of arrested persons
- 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
- 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