Section 55A CrPC: Health and safety of arrested person

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 55A CrPC at a Glance

Section 55A CrPC deals with health and safety of arrested person. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 56 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 56 →

What Section 55A CrPC Says

55A. Health and safety of arrested person

It shall be the duty of the person having the custody of an accused to take reasonable care of the health and safety of the accused.

Source: Section 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 55A CrPC in Simple Words

Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with the health and safety of an arrested person. It shall be the duty of the person having the custody of an accused to take reasonable care of the health and safety of the accused.

When Section 55A CrPC Applies

  • Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of the person having the custody of an accused.
  • Under Section 55A CrPC, it shall be the duty of the person having the custody of an accused to take reasonable care of the health and safety of the accused.

Example of Section 55A CrPC

Ramesh is arrested and is held in custody as an accused. Suresh is the person having the custody of Ramesh. Under Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, it shall be the duty of Suresh to take reasonable care of the health and safety of Ramesh.

When Section 55A CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of the person having the custody of an accused. It does not deal with a person who does not have the custody of the accused.

Section 55A CrPC Under BNSS 56: What Changed

Section 55A CrPC is now covered under Section 56 BNSS.

Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 became Section 56 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 56 BNSS has the same heading and the same text as Section 55A CrPC.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 55A vs BNSS 56) →

FAQs on Section 55A CrPC

Who has the duty to care for an accused under Section 55A CrPC?▼

Under Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the duty is on the person having the custody of an accused.

Does Section 55A CrPC name a particular officer?▼

No. Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 speaks of the person having the custody of an accused, and does not name a particular officer or rank.

What standard of care does Section 55A CrPC require for an arrested person in custody?▼

Under Section 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the person having the custody of an accused shall take reasonable care of the health and safety of the accused.

Where is Section 55A CrPC found under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024. Section 55A CrPC is found in Section 56 BNSS, which has the same heading. Section 55A CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 56 BNSS.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·