Criminal Procedure Code 2010 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 6 · Arrest and Bail and Processes to Compel Appearance
68. Person arrested not to be detained more than 48 hours
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A police officer must not keep a person arrested without a warrant in custody for longer than is reasonable in all the circumstances, unless the court orders otherwise. This period must not exceed 48 hours, not counting the time needed to travel from the place of arrest to the magistrate's court.
Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.
Last amended by an amending law of 2018.
Unless the court orders otherwise under section 92(3)(a) or 93(3B)(a), no police officer may detain in custody a person who has been arrested without a warrant for a longer period than under all the circumstances of the case is reasonable.
court
“court” means the Court of Appeal, the General Division of the High Court, a Family Court, a Youth Court, a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court (as the case may be) which exercises criminal jurisdiction;
The period must not exceed 48 hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the Magistrate’s Court.
place
“place” includes —(a)any building or structure, whether permanent or temporary;(b)any land, whether or not built on;(c)any place, whether or not enclosed, and whether or not situated underground or underwater;(d)any vessel, aircraft, train, or vehicle (whether mechanically‑propelled or otherwise) or any other means of transport; and(e)any part of any place referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d);