2. Period of detention of persons arrested not to be more than twenty-four hours or forty-eight hours

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of

Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979 other than the provisions of section 43 A of that Act, any peace officer shall not detain in custody or otherwise confine a person arrested without a warrant for a longer period than under all the circumstances of the case is reasonable and such period shall not exeed twenty-four hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the presence of the

Magistrate:

Provided that, where the arrest is in relation to an offence as is specified in the Schedule to this Act, such period of detention in police custody may, on production before him of the person arrested and on a certificate filed by a police officer not below the rank of the Assistant Superintendent of

Police submitted prior to the expiration of the said period of

Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions)

twenty-four hours, to the effect that it is necessary to detain such person for the purpose of further investigations, be extended upon an Order made in that behalf by the Magistrate for a further period not exceeding twenty-four hours, so however that the aggregate period of detention shall not exceed forty-eight hours:

Provided further, that any person arrested and detained for a further period shall be afforded an opportunity to consult an Attorney-at-Law of his choice and to communicate with any relative or friend of his choice during the period of such detention.