Hello everybody,

I read about Section 149 CrPC in the news today. Mumbai police apparently arrested some activists under Sec 149 CrPC to prevent them from resorting to violence during the bandh. I am neither a lawyer nor a law student so I dunno much about this but it sounds a very unfair thing to me. Arresting someone in anticipation of a crime sounds like a violation of human rights and also an attempt to suppres political opposition. I am curious abt a few things -

1> Whats this section all abt? What is it meant for?

2> How long can Police detain under this section? Does the “produce b4 magistrate in 24 hrs” rule still apply?

2> Isnt it very unfair to detain someone who hasnt committed a crime?

3> Can such the individual arrested resort to “Habeas corpus” or any other such procedure to try to get released?

Hope someone can tell me abt this. Sorry if the doubt is too basic. Thanks.

- Curious Guy