Multilingual Legal & Constitutional Glossary
Plain-language explanations of complex legal, criminal, and constitutional terminology used in Indian courts and police stations.
Arrest
Deprivation of a person's liberty by legal authority.
Bail
Temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial upon conditions.
Anticipatory Bail
Direction granting bail to a person apprehending arrest for a non-bailable offence.
Cognizable Offence
Serious offence where police can investigate and arrest without warrant.
Non-Cognizable Offence
Offence where police cannot arrest or investigate without court order.
FIR (First Information Report)
Official record prepared by police upon receiving information about a cognizable crime.
Zero FIR
FIR registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction and transferred.
Chargesheet
Final investigation report submitted by police to court under Section 193 BNSS.
Summons
Official legal order commanding a person to appear before a court.
Warrant
Court order directing police to arrest a person or search a property.
Remand
Court order sending an accused person back into police custody or judicial custody.
Police Custody
Detention of accused in police lockup under police interrogation.
Judicial Custody
Detention of accused in jail under the direct supervision of the court.
Magistrate
Civil judicial officer administering law at the district or sub-divisional level.
Habeas Corpus
Prerogative writ ordering an illegally detained person to be produced before court.
Mandamus
Writ commanding a public authority to perform a mandatory statutory duty.
Injunction
Court order compelling a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act.
Quashing
High Court order voiding or terminating an illegal FIR or court proceeding.
Lok Adalat
People's court providing amicable dispute settlement with final binding decree.
Gram Sabha
Village assembly of all registered voters under Article 243A of the Constitution.