# Police Detention Rights in India

> How long can police hold you before legal release in India?
- Title: Police Detention Rights in India · Financialexpress | Shortify
- Summary: How long can police hold you before legal release in India? In India, police can detain someone for up to 24 hours before requiring a magistrate's approval…
- Keywords: india, police, detention, bharatiya nagarik suraksha sanhita, custody, constitutional rights, supreme court, arrest, business, money, news, Rights
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/india-news/explained-when-can-police-detain-you-how-long-can-custody-last-and-what-are-your-rights/4359631
- Author: FE News Desk
- Published: 2026-10-12T16:56:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: india, police, detention, bharatiya nagarik suraksha sanhita, custody, constitutional rights, supreme court, arrest, business, money, news
## Arrest vs Detention
Arrest means taking someone into custody under legal authority, while detention is broader restraint on liberty that can include custody after arrest or preventive detention.

> Every arrest involves custody, but custody does not necessarily involve arrest.
## Preventive Arrest Powers
Police can act before an offence occurs under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 if they know of a plan to commit a cognizable offence and believe it cannot be prevented.
## 24-Hour Custody Limit
Detention under preventive arrest cannot exceed 24 hours unless further custody is authorised under another legal provision.
## Information on Arrest
Article 22 guarantees arrested persons information about arrest grounds and access to a lawyer of their choice within 24 hours.
## Medical and Legal Safeguards
The law requires medical checks every 48 hours during custody and allows arrested persons to meet a lawyer during interrogation.
## Challenging Unlawful Custody
People in custody can challenge unlawful detention through habeas corpus proceedings with the Supreme Court or High Courts.
## Key takeaway

In India, police can detain someone for up to 24 hours before requiring a magistrate's approval for further custody under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.