Report No. 135

2.4. Sections 53 and 54, Cr. P.C., 1973: Medical examination.-

A number of sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deal with medical examination of the accused. Such examination (as contemplated by the Code) is of two types. In the first place, the Code deals with medical examination of the accused, in order to secure evidence of crime. Whether or not the accused consents to such an examination, it can be undertaken to secure evidence of crime (section 53). The examination is to be done by a registered medical practitioner at the request of the investigating agency. Here, the Code makes a specific provision, by requiring that in the case of a female accused, the examination should be done by a female medical practitioner.