The power of arrest of the police has been curtailed by the enactment of Sec.41A of the Criminal Procedure Code. In case of offenses with punishment of less than 7 years,the police has to give a notice of appearance before the investigation officer,to the accused.If the accused does not appear then only the investigation officer can initiate arrest. However the scope of Sec.41A has not been fully recognized in the criminal justice system,yet.
Law of the land as laid down by the Supreme Court of India