Vol. 10, Issue 8, Part C (2024)

Abstract
This research paper examines the complex role of the police within India's criminal justice system, focusing on the delicate balance between their extensive legal powers and the constitutional safeguards designed to protect individual rights. The police are entrusted with crucial responsibilities such as maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring state security. However, the exercise of these powers, particularly in the areas of arrest, detention, and interrogation, often raises concerns about potential abuses, especially in a country where many citizens are unaware of their rights. The paper analyzes key provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and various landmark judgments that have shaped the legal framework governing police conduct. Special attention is given to issues such as the use of force during arrests, the practice of handcuffing, the rights of the accused, and the protection against arbitrary or unlawful detention. The discussion highlights the tension between law enforcement's need to maintain order and the imperative to uphold the rule of law in a democratic society.