The Criminal Procedure Code or better known as CPC, previously allowed the detention of any suspect who is a subject for police investigation for up to 24 hours from the time of arrest till production in Court.
During this time, the investigator/s is required to prepares a case with whatever evidence he may have and have the suspect arraigned (first production) in Court.
In later years this period of detention was extended for up to 48 hours detention without bail.
However, unless absolutely neccessary, suspects of all bailable offences who weere detained and NOT produced in Court, had to be released within 24 hours on police bail, which is normally granted with or without surety / sureties for up to 2 weeks, after which the suspects are required to return to the police station and meet the investigator. The IO is also empowered to demand for cash bail but this is hardly practised by the police unless the case is truly a unique one where there is a likelihood that the suspectmay abscond, etc...
The initial police bail of 2 weeks can be further extended by the Head Investigation for another further period of 2 weeks.
During this "lull" period, the IO gathers the intrinsic evidence and other proffessional evidence and with this produce the suspect before a Court. The Court, which will again, if neccessary offer bail until the day of hearing.
So far, the police have been wise not to use the "48 hours detention" under the CPC (Criminal Procedure Code), unless absolutely neccessary. Very rare...Murder cases exempted.
This initial 24 or 48 hours is to enable the IO to gather the evidence against the accused and have him / her produced in Court.
This particular case is being either investigated under the Penal Code (Causing Death By Rash or negligent Act) or under the Road Traffic Act. Both of these statutes allow for the granting of bail.
