The Indispensable Role of Information in Validating Grounds of Arrest

The act of arrest, which restricts an individual's liberty, is a critical component of the criminal justice system. It serves to foster accountability, deter future criminal behaviour, and support the investigative process by ensuring the presence of the accused. The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, outlines the legal procedures and safeguards related to arrest, as do the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. The recent Supreme Court verdict in Vihaan Kumar v. The State of Haryana (2025 INSC 162) has further emphasized the mandatory nature of these safeguards, particularly the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest.