Examination of accused by medical practitioner at request of police officer.
What this section does
When a person is arrested on a charge where examination of their person may yield evidence, a registered medical practitioner may, at the request of a police officer, conduct such examination using reasonably necessary force. Female accused must be examined only by or under the supervision of a female registered medical practitioner. The practitioner must forward the examination report to the investigating officer without delay.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Registered medical practitioner · Police officer · Investigating officer · Arrested person
- Time limit
- Report to be forwarded to investigating officer without any delay
Derived from CrPC s.53.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 51, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 51 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.