Legal awareness
Twelve plain-language guides to everyday rights and remedies, updated for India’s current criminal and consumer-law framework.
Article 21 protects life and personal liberty except through a procedure established by law. Courts have interpreted it to include dignity, privacy and important personal choices, subject to lawful restrictions.
Constitution of India, Article 21Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of the laws. Articles 15 and 16 address prohibited discrimination and equality of opportunity in public employment.
Constitution of India, Articles 14–16Citizens may request records from public authorities under the RTI Act. The usual response period is 30 days; information concerning a person’s life or liberty must ordinarily be supplied within 48 hours. Exemptions and appeal procedures apply.
Right to Information Act, 2005Article 21A and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act provide free and compulsory elementary education for children aged 6 to 14, subject to the statutory framework.
Article 21A; RTE Act, 2009Information about a cognizable offence may be given to a police station, irrespective of where the offence occurred. If recording is refused, the BNSS provides escalation to the Superintendent of Police and then the Magistrate.
BNSS, 2023, section 173A parent unable to maintain themselves may seek maintenance from a person with sufficient means who neglects or refuses to maintain them. Senior citizens also have remedies under the 2007 welfare legislation.
BNSS, 2023, section 144; Senior Citizens Act, 2007The Constitution directs equal pay for equal work for men and women. Current wage and employment laws prohibit gender-based discrimination in wages for the same or similar work, subject to the applicable enactment and facts.
Constitution, Article 39(d); applicable labour lawExcept in exceptional circumstances, a woman should not be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. A woman police officer must make a written report and obtain prior permission from the competent Magistrate for an exceptional arrest.
BNSS, 2023, section 43(5)Eligible employees may receive up to 26 weeks of paid maternity benefit for the first two surviving children, with different limits in certain cases. Dismissal because of lawful maternity absence is restricted, subject to the Act’s scope and exceptions.
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amendedSection 138 may apply when a cheque issued for a legally enforceable debt is dishonoured and statutory notice requirements are met. Notice is generally required within 30 days of bank intimation, followed by a 15-day payment opportunity.
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, section 138Free legal services are available to eligible persons under the Legal Services Authorities Act, including specified vulnerable groups and persons meeting applicable income criteria. NALSA and State or District Legal Services Authorities can assist.
Article 39A; Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987Consumers may seek repair, replacement, refund, compensation or other relief for defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices or misleading representations. There is no automatic refund merely for a change of mind unless policy or contract provides it.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019Speak with Legal Aura
