Horwill, J.

1. It has been found by the Joint Magistrate of Sivakasi and his finding has been confirmed on appeal by the Sessions Judge of Ramnad, that the petitioners are by habit house-breakers and thieves; and so they were called upon under Section 110, Criminal Procedure Code, to show cause why they should not execute bonds with sureties for good behaviour. Not having shown cause, they have been called upon to execute bonds and they have done so.

2. Before discussing the actual evidence against these petitioners, I think it is necessary, as this point is frequently raised, to say a word or two with regard to the scope of Section 110, Criminal Procedure Code. It is of course true that Section 110 is intended to deal with persons who cannot readily be brought under the ordinary law and who for special reasons could not be convicted under the Penal Code in respect of the offences said to have been committed by them. It is argued that Section 110 is intended only to deal with gangs of people who are strangers to a locality, who enter that, locality for the purpose of committing crime, and who because of the fact that they are strangers and work together, render their offences di