Criminal Law Published & Fact-Checked 1 Sept 2026

Can police search your home or seize your smartphone without a warrant in India?

Verified Legal Answer • Reviewed by Hire Your Vakeel Legal Panel (Updated for 2026 / BNS & BNSS)

Under Section 185 BNSS (165 CrPC), police can conduct a warrantless search only if they record written reasonable grounds that delay in obtaining a warrant would lead to concealment or destruction of evidence. The officer must provide an immediate copy of the search memo (Panchnama) to the occupant and submit it to the nearest Magistrate.

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