Fundamental Rights: Life, Liberty & Fair Trial

Fundamental Rights are contained in Chapter 1 of Part II, covering Articles 8 to 28.

• Article 8: Any law inconsistent with, or in derogation of, Fundamental Rights shall be void to the extent of such inconsistency.
• Article 9: No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.
• Article 10: Provides safeguards as to arrest and detention (e.g., informing grounds of arrest, right to consult a legal practitioner, production before a magistrate within 24 hours).
• Article 10-A: Guarantees the right to a fair trial and due process — inserted by the 18th Amendment (2010).
• Article 11: Prohibits slavery, forced labour, and traffic in human beings.
• Article 12: Protection against retrospective punishment — no one is punished under a law that did not exist at the time of the act.
• Article 13: Protects against double punishment (double jeopardy) and self-incrimination.
• Article 14(2): No person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of extracting evidence; Article 14(1) protects the inviolability of human dignity.
• These rights (Articles 8–28) are collectively termed Fundamental Rights, enforceable through the Supreme Court (Article 184(3)) and High Courts (Article 199).