Accused Must Receive Written Grounds of Arrest in Their Own Language: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that police and investigating agencies must furnish the written grounds of arrest to every arrested person, irrespective of the statute invoked.

The Court held that an arrest is rendered illegal if the written grounds are not provided in a language understood by the accused.

Emphasising that the mandate stems from Articles 21 and 22(1) of the Constitution, the Court observed that the right to personal liberty includes the right to be informed of the reasons for one’s arrest.

The Court clarified that this ensures transparency and enables the accused to seek appropriate legal remedies.

[Mihir Rajesh Shah v. State of Maharashtra & Anr]