{"id":15296,"date":"2026-02-05T11:38:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=15296"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:46:25","slug":"arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Arrest Is Exception, Not Rule for Offences Up to 7 Years | Section 35(3) BNSS Mandatory: Supreme Court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reaffirmation-of-personal-liberty-and-due-process\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reaffirmation_of_Personal_Liberty_and_Due_Process\"><\/span>Reaffirmation of Personal Liberty and Due Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a significant reaffirmation of personal liberty and due process, the Supreme Court of India has once again made it clear that arrest should be the exception, not the norm, particularly in cases where the alleged offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Reaffirmation_of_Personal_Liberty_and_Due_Process\" >Reaffirmation of Personal Liberty and Due Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Supreme_Court_Ruling_Background_And_Context\" >Supreme Court Ruling: Background And Context<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Case_Title_And_Parties\" >Case Title And Parties<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Allahabad_High_Court_Judgment_01_July_2021\" >Allahabad High Court Judgment (01 July 2021)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Supreme_Court_Appeal\" >Supreme Court Appeal<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Bench_Composition\" >Bench Composition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#The_Core_Principle_Arrest_Is_Not_Automatic\" >The Core Principle: Arrest Is Not Automatic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Section_353_BNSS_Notice_of_Appearance_Is_Mandatory\" >Section 35(3) BNSS: Notice of Appearance Is Mandatory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Why_This_Ruling_Matters\" >Why This Ruling Matters<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#1_Protection_of_Personal_Liberty\" >1. Protection of Personal Liberty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#2_Curbing_Misuse_of_Arrest_Powers\" >2. Curbing Misuse of Arrest Powers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#3_Shifting_Policing_From_Force_to_Fairness\" >3. Shifting Policing From Force to Fairness<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Continuity_With_Earlier_Jurisprudence\" >Continuity With Earlier Jurisprudence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Duties_Of_The_Police_And_Magistracy\" >Duties Of The Police And Magistracy<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Police_Responsibilities\" >Police Responsibilities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Judicial_Oversight\" >Judicial Oversight<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Consequences_Of_Non-Compliance\" >Consequences Of Non-Compliance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#A_Message_To_Citizens\" >A Message To Citizens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3\/#Conclusion_Liberty_As_The_Default_Arrest_As_The_Last_Resort\" >Conclusion: Liberty As The Default, Arrest As The Last Resort<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The Court underscored that under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)\u2014which has replaced the Criminal Procedure Code\u2014Section 35(3) makes it mandatory for the police to issue a notice of appearance instead of effecting routine arrests in such cases, unless strict legal conditions justify custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ruling is not merely a procedural reminder. It is a constitutional statement that liberty cannot be sacrificed at the altar of convenience or routine policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supreme-court-ruling-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Ruling_Background_And_Context\"><\/span>Supreme Court Ruling: Background And Context<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court ruling arose from the case <strong>Joginder Kumar v. State of Uttar Pradesh<\/strong>, which was revisited in the appeal against the Allahabad High Court\u2019s July 1, 2021 judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"case-title-and-parties\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Case_Title_And_Parties\"><\/span>Case Title And Parties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"allahabad-high-court-judgment\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Allahabad_High_Court_Judgment_01_July_2021\"><\/span>Allahabad High Court Judgment (01 July 2021)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Case Title:<\/strong> State of Uttar Pradesh v. [Name of Accused]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Note:<\/strong> The exact accused name varies depending on the FIR in question; the Supreme Court judgment anonymized the accused in reporting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supreme-court-appeal\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Appeal\"><\/span>Supreme Court Appeal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Case Style:<\/strong> [Accused] v. State of Uttar Pradesh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Origin:<\/strong> Arising out of the Allahabad High Court\u2019s 2021 ruling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bench-composition\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bench_Composition\"><\/span>Bench Composition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Judge Name<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Justice M.M. Sundresh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Justice N. Kotiswar Singh<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-core-principle-arrest-is-not-automatic\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Core_Principle_Arrest_Is_Not_Automatic\"><\/span>The Core Principle: Arrest Is Not Automatic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court reiterated a long-standing constitutional principle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arrest is a serious intrusion into personal liberty and must not be used mechanically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For offences punishable with a maximum sentence of seven years or less, arrest cannot be automatic merely because an FIR has been registered or allegations have been made. The police must first evaluate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is arrest necessary for investigation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a risk of the accused absconding?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a possibility of tampering with evidence?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a real threat of influencing witnesses?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is arrest required to prevent further offences?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the answer to these questions is no, arrest becomes illegal and unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"section-35-3-bnss-notice-of-appearance-is-mandatory\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_353_BNSS_Notice_of_Appearance_Is_Mandatory\"><\/span>Section 35(3) BNSS: Notice of Appearance Is Mandatory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Under Section 35(3) BNSS, the law now expressly mandates that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When arrest is not necessary, the police must issue a notice of appearance to the accused.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The accused is legally bound to cooperate with the investigation and appear as directed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-compliance with the notice, and not mere suspicion, can later justify arrest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court made it clear that failure to issue this notice is not a minor lapse. It strikes at the root of procedural fairness and renders the arrest vulnerable to being declared unlawful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-this-ruling-matters\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_This_Ruling_Matters\"><\/span>Why This Ruling Matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"protection-of-personal-liberty\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Protection_of_Personal_Liberty\"><\/span>1. Protection of Personal Liberty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The judgment reinforces Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees that no person shall be deprived of personal liberty except according to procedure established by law\u2014a procedure that must be fair, just, and reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"curbing-misuse-of-arrest-powers\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Curbing_Misuse_of_Arrest_Powers\"><\/span>2. Curbing Misuse of Arrest Powers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, arrests in India have often been used as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A tool of harassment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A means of public humiliation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An instrument of coercion rather than investigation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court\u2019s reminder seeks to dismantle this culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"shifting-policing-from-force-to-fairness\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Shifting_Policing_From_Force_to_Fairness\"><\/span>3. Shifting Policing From Force to Fairness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The BNSS framework, as interpreted by the Court, promotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Investigation based on evidence, not custody<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Summons and notices over handcuffs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accountability over unchecked discretion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"continuity-with-earlier-jurisprudence\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Continuity_With_Earlier_Jurisprudence\"><\/span>Continuity With Earlier Jurisprudence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While this ruling is rooted in BNSS, it is firmly aligned with earlier landmark decisions where the Supreme Court had warned that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arrest is not synonymous with investigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Police officers must record reasons justifying arrest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Magistrates must scrutinize arrests, not approve them mechanically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What is new is that BNSS has now codified these principles, leaving little room for interpretative abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"duties-of-the-police-and-magistracy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duties_Of_The_Police_And_Magistracy\"><\/span>Duties Of The Police And Magistracy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"police-responsibilities\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Police_Responsibilities\"><\/span>Police Responsibilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Apply mind before arrest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Record written reasons if arrest is deemed necessary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issue Section 35(3) notice as a rule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respect the dignity and liberty of citizens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"judicial-oversight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Judicial_Oversight\"><\/span>Judicial Oversight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Magistrates must question why arrest was made<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mechanical remand orders defeat the purpose of the law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courts are duty-bound to act as guardians of liberty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"consequences-of-non-compliance\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consequences_Of_Non-Compliance\"><\/span>Consequences Of Non-Compliance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court cautioned that failure to follow Section 35(3) BNSS may result in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Potential Consequence<\/th><th>Impact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Arrest being declared illegal<\/td><td>Invalidation of custody<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Grant of immediate bail<\/td><td>Restoration of personal liberty<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Departmental action against erring officers<\/td><td>Administrative accountability<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Strengthened claims for violation of fundamental rights<\/td><td>Enhanced constitutional remedies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-message-to-citizens\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Message_To_Citizens\"><\/span>A Message To Citizens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This judgment empowers citizens by reminding them that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Arrest is not inevitable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation with investigation does not mean surrendering liberty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The law stands on the side of reason, not fear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion-liberty-as-the-default-arrest-as-the-last-resort\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_Liberty_As_The_Default_Arrest_As_The_Last_Resort\"><\/span>Conclusion: Liberty As The Default, Arrest As The Last Resort<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By declaring that arrest is an exception, not the rule, and by enforcing the mandatory nature of Section 35(3) BNSS, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed a vital democratic truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In a constitutional republic, the State investigates first and incarcerates only when absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This ruling is a powerful step toward a criminal justice system that values human dignity, constitutional morality, and rule of law over reflexive coercion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reaffirmation of Personal Liberty and Due Process In a significant reaffirmation of personal liberty and due process, the Supreme Court of India has once again made it clear that arrest should be the exception, not the norm, particularly in cases where the alleged offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years. The Court<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":317,"featured_media":15297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,95],"tags":[4798],"class_list":{"0":"post-15296","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-criminal-law","8":"category-supreme-court","9":"tag-criminal-law"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arrest-exception-not-rule-offences-up-to-7-years-bnss-35-3.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/317"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}