Many a times it has been noticed that the civil police arrested the Army/Naval/AF or Coast Guard Personnel due to offence committed by them . Do you know , how far is it legal ? What are the legal provisions on the matter related to arrest of Army persons by civil police ? Get answer of all your querries here.

In general, the offence committed by any Army, Navy or AF personnel / officers is trialed by the court arranged by Army /Navy/AF at thier own administrtive ways. In this regrd Manual of Military Law and Army/F Act 1950 provided the detailed guidelines for them.

The provisions of law applicable to Defence Combatant personnel and officers are as under :

As per Section 45 of Indian Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1973 the Civil Police Can’t arrest any Army Personnel and Army officers (including AF and Navy) (while on duty) without permission of Central Govt.

As per Section 197(2) of Indian Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1973 No Magisrate court/civil court can give order to arrest the Army Personnel and Army officers (including AF and Navy) without permission of Central Govt.

Exception of the Law related to power to arrest the Army Personnel by civil police.

According Section 70 of Army Act 1950

Section 72 Air Force Act 1950

and equivalent Naval Act and Indian Cost Guard Act 50 of 1978 civil police can arrest a soldier, sailor or airman/ officers for committing following nature of offence :

(a) Murder

(b) Rape

N.B. This article is for only educational purpose. It can not be treated as authority for application in any legal matter.

Can Civil Police Arrest any Soldier ?

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