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Know your rights

Short, calm answers to the moments when you most need the law: what you are entitled to, what to do next, and which letter or helpline to use.

Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources

Police won’t file my FIRWhat to do when police will not register your FIR: zero FIR at any police station, e-FIR, a free copy, complaint to the SP under BNSS 173(4) and the Magistrate under 175(3)Rights on arrestRights of an arrested person under the new law: know the grounds, bail for bailable offences, tell a relative, meet a lawyer, medical check, Magistrate within 24 hours, special rules for women and seniorsTenant rightsPlain-language tenant rights: written agreement, security deposit limits, notice before the landlord enters, no cutting water or power, eviction only through the law, and what your state followsSexual harassment at work (POSH)Sexual harassment at the workplace under the POSH Act, 2013: what counts, Internal Committee and Local Committee, 3-month complaint window, 90-day inquiry, interim relief, confidentiality, SHe-BoxDomestic violence: help pathA calm, step-by-step help path for domestic violence: call 181 or 112, One Stop Centre, Protection Officer, Domestic Incident Report, protection and residence orders under the PWDVA 2005, police complaint under BNS 85Consumer rightsYour six consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, when to use 1915, which Commission to approach by amount, no fee up to ₹5 lakh, two-year limit, and a free complaint letter.Right to Information (RTI)File an RTI application in plain steps: who to write to, ₹10 fee (none for BPL), reply in 30 days or 48 hours for life and liberty, first appeal in 30 days, second appeal in 90 days, and the 2025 change to personal information.Stopped by traffic policeWhat traffic police can ask for under the Motor Vehicles Act, why DigiLocker and mParivahan documents are valid, how e-challans work and how to contest one, and protection for Good Samaritans.

Help lines that work

112Emergency15100NALSA free legal aid181Women helpline1930Cyber fraud1915Consumer helpline1098Child helpline

Legal tools

Court fee calculatorReady drafts: notices, RTI, complaintsConsumer complaint helperStamp duty calculator

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and state rules change; check the official source or ask a lawyer. Free legal aid: call NALSA 15100 or visit your District Legal Services Authority.

How it works

  • Every page uses the laws in force today, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam from 1 July 2024, with the old IPC or CrPC section where it helps.
  • Each page links the official source and our ready drafts, so you can act the same day.
  • This is general information, not legal advice. Free legal aid is available on 15100.

Questions people ask

Which laws replaced the IPC and CrPC?

From 1 July 2024 the Indian Penal Code was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Code of Criminal Procedure by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Indian Evidence Act by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). Cases registered before that date continue under the old laws.

How do I get a free lawyer?

Call NALSA on 15100, or visit the District Legal Services Authority at your district court. Women, children, SC/ST members, people in custody, people with disability and low-income families qualify.

Sources

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