Section 55
Police officer's power to require attendance of witnesses
Information to the Police and their Powers to Investigate
Plain English Explanation
During investigation, a police officer can summon any witness — i.e., require any person who knows facts about the case to appear before them. Protections: (i) Boys under 15 or men over 65, women, and disabled persons cannot be called to the police station — they must be examined at their home. (ii) Witnesses are entitled to attendance allowances under State Government rules.
Legal Text
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Section 55
(1) A police officer making an investigation under this Chapter may, by order in writing, require the attendance before himself of any person being within the limits of his own or any adjoining station who, from the information given or otherwise, appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case; and such person shall attend as so required:
Provided that no male person under the age of fifteen years or above the age of sixty-five years, or a woman or a mentally or physically disabled person, shall be required to attend at any place other than the place in which such male person or woman resides.
(2) The State Government may, by rules made in this behalf, provide for allowances to be paid to persons for attending as required under sub-section (1).
Keywords
witness summonspolice summonsattendance during investigationwoman witnesselderly witnessdisabled witnesspolice power
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