KERALA POLICE ACT, 1960
PREAMBLE
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Police Force in the State of Kerala.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the police force in the State of Kerala.
BE it enacted in the Eleventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
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*. The Act received the assent of the Governor on 14 02 1961, pub. in K.G. Ex. dated 15-02-1961.
The Preamble of the Kerala Police Act, 1960, sets the foundational purpose and guiding principles for the legislation, emphasizing the consolidation and regulation of the police force in Kerala to maintain law and order.
The Preamble states the intent to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Police Force in Kerala, establishing a unified framework for police administration, regulation, powers, and duties within the state.
Note: The analysis is based on the provided sources, emphasizing the legal significance and interpretative role of the Preamble within the Kerala Police Act, 1960.
(1) his Act may be called the Kerala Police Act, 1960.
(2) extends to the whole of the State of Kerala.
(3) shall come into force at once.
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
1[(i) "Authority" or "Authorities" means the Police Complaints Authority established at the State level and at the District level, respectively, under section 17E;
(ia) "Board" means the Police Establishment Board constituted under section 17 C;]
2[(ib) "cattle" shall, besides homed cattle, include elephants, camels, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats and swine:]
1[(ic) "Commission" means the State Security Commission constituted under section 17A:]
(ii) District Magistrate" shall mean the officer charged with the executive administration of a district and invested with the powers of a Magistrate of the first class, by whatever designation such officer is styled;
1[(iia) "Government" means the Government of Kerala.]
The entire police establishment of the State shall be deemed to be one police force and shall consist of such number of superior and subordinate police officers and shall be otherwise constituted in such manner, as may, from time to time, be ordered by the Government.
1[(1) The Government may, having regard to the population in an area or the circumstances prevailing in such area, by order, separate the investigating police from the law and order police in such area as may be specified in order to ensure speedier investigation, better expertise and improved rapport with people.
(2) The Superintendent of Police shall ensure the full co-ordination between the two wings of the police force separated under sub-section (1).]
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1. Inserted by Act 21 of 2007.)
1[(1) The administration of the police throughout the State shall, subject to the control of the government, be vested in the Director General of Police.
(2) The Director General of Police shall be appointed by the Government from amongst those officers of the State cadre of the Indian Police Service who have either already been promoted to such rank or are eligible to be promoted to such rank, considering his overall record of service and experience for leading the police force of the State:
Provided that the officer selected as the Director General of Police must not have a charge pending against him in any Court or Tribunal or Departmental agency on a charge field on behalf of the State.]
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1. Substituted by ibid.
(1) The Government may ensure a minimum tenure or two years from (he date of assuming charge of the post to the Director General of Police and to all inspector Generals of Police in charge of Ranges, Superintendents of Police in charge of Districts and Station House Officers in charge of Police Stations:
Provided that the normal tenure shall not be applicable in case of superannuation, promotion, reversion, suspension and leave.
(2) The Government or the appointing authority may, without prejudice to any other legal or departmental action, transfer any police officer before completing the normal tenure of two years, on being satisfied prima facie that it is necessary to do so on any of the following grounds, namely:-
(a) if he is found incompetent and inefficient in the discharge of duties so as to affect the functioning of the police force;
(b) If he accused in a criminal ca
The police force within the local jurisdiction of a District Magistrate shall be under the general control and direction of such Magistrate. In exercising authority under this section, the District Magistrate shall be governed by such rules and orders as the Government may, from time to time, make in this behalf.
Subject to the provisions of Article 311 of the Constitution and to such rules as the Government may, from time to time, make under this Act, the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector-General, Assistant Inspector-General and Superintendents of Police may, at any time, dismiss, remove, suspend or reduce to a lower post or time scale or to a lower stage in time scale, any officer of the subordinate police whom they shall think remiss or negligent in the discharge of his duty or otherwise unfit for the same, and may order the recovery from the pay of any such police officer of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to the Government by his negligence or breach of orders.
(1) Every person appointed as an officer of the subordinate police shall be formally enrolled and shall receive on his enrolment a certificate under the seal of the Inspector-General by virtue of which he shall be vested with the powers, functions and privileges of a police officer.
(2) Such certificate shall cease to have effect whenever the person named in it ceases for any reason to be a police officer.
(3) A police officer shall not by reason of being suspended from office cease to be a police officer. During the term of such suspension, the powers, functions and privileges vested in him as a police officer shall be in abeyance, but he shall continue subject to the same responsibilities, discipline and penalties and to the same authorities, as if he had not been suspended.
The Inspector-General may, if he thinks fit, on the application of any person showing the necessity thereof, depute any additional number of police officers to keep the peace at any place within the State for such time as he deems necessary. Such force shall be under the orders of the Superintendent of Police of the District, and shall be at the charge of the person making the application:
Provided always that it shall be lawful for the person on whose application such deputation shall have been made, on giving thirty days notice in writing to the Inspector-General, to require that the officers so deputed be withdrawn; and such person shall be relieved from the charge of such additional force from the expiration of such notice.
Whenever any railway, canal or other public work or any manufactory or commercial concern is carried on or is in operation, in any part of the State and it appears to the Inspector General that the employment of additional police force in such place or neighborhood is rendered necessary by the behavior or reasonable apprehension of the behavior of the persons employed in 'Such work, manufactory or concern he may with the sanction of the Government, direct the employment of such additional force, to such place or neighborhood and maintain the same so long as such necessity continues; and make orders from time to time upon the person having the control or custody of the funds used in carrying on such work, manufactory or commercial concern, for the payment of the additional police force so rendered necessary and such person shall thereupon cause payment to be made accordingly.
(1) All moneys payable under section 8 and section 9 shall be recoverable by the District Magistrate in the manner provided for the recovery of fines under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
(2) All moneys paid or recovered under section 8 and section 9 shall be credited to the Government and shall be applied to the maintenance of the police under such orders as the Government may pass.
When it appears that any unlawful assembly or riot or disturbance of the peace has taken place, or may be reasonably apprehended, in any place, and that the police ordinarily employed for preserving the peace is not sufficient for its preservation, and for the protection of the inhabitants and the security of property in such place, any police officer not below the rank of an Inspector may apply to the District Magistrate exercising jurisdiction over the area to appoint as many able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 55*, as such police officer may require, to act as special police officers for such time and in such manner as he may deem necessary; and it shall be the duty of such Magistrate unless he sees cause to the contrary, to comply with such application:
Provided that no person who has conscientious objection to serve as a police officer shall be required to act as such police officer.
Every special police officer so appointed shall receive a certificate in the prescribed form, have the same powers, privileges and protection, and be liable to all such duties and penalties, and be subordinate to the same authorities, as the ordinary officers of police.
If any person; being appointed a special police officer as aforesaid without sufficient excuse, neglects or refuses to serve as such, or to obey such lawful order or direction as may be given to him for the performance of his duties, he shall be liable, upon conviction before a Magistrate, to fine not exceeding fifty rupees for such neglect, refusal or disobedience:
Provided that no person shall be prosecuted for any of the aforesaid offences, unless notice has been served on him to show cause why he should not be prosecuted and an opportunity given to him to be heard.
No police officer shall resign his office or withdraw himself from the duties thereof, unless expressly allowed to do so in writing by the Inspector-General or by such other officer as may be authorized by the Government to grant such permission or unless, except in the case of a special police officer, he shall have given to his superior officer, notice in writing for a period not less than two months of his intention to do so:
Provided that, if any police officer produces a certificate signed by a Medical Officer empowered by the Government in this behalf declaring such police officer to be unfit by reason of any disease or mental or physical incapacity for further service in the police, the necessary written permission to resign shall forthwith be granted to him.
Explanation.- A police officer who, being absent on leave, fails without reasonable cause to report himself for duty on the expiration of such leave shall b
No police officer other than a special police officer shall engage in any employment or office whatever other than his duties under this Act.
The Inspector General may, from time to time, subject to the approval of the Government, frame such orders and rules, not inconsistent with this Act, as he may deem expedient, relating to the general government and distribution, of the police force, the places of residence, the classification, rank and particular service and duties of the members thereof; their inspection; the description of arms, accouterments, and other necessaries to be furnished to them; to the collecting and communicating intelligence and information; for preventing abuse or neglect; and for rendering such force efficient in the discharge of all its duties.
Every police officer not on leave or under suspension shall, for all purposes of this Act, be considered to be always on duty and may at any time be employed as police officer in any part of the state.
1[Chapter III A
State Security Commission, Police Establishment, Board and Police Complaints Authority
(1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette constitute a State Security Commission for the purpose of exercising such functions and discharging such duties as may be assigned to the Commission under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(i) The Minister in-charge of Home Department who shall be the Chairman;
(ii) The Minister in-charge of Law;
(iii) The Leader of Opposition;
(iv) The Chief Secretary - ex-officio;
(v) The Secretary to Government, Home Department- ex-officio;
(vi) The Director General of Police-ex-officio;
(vii) Three non-official members, who shall
(1) The Commission shall have the following functions, namely:-
(a) to frame the broad policy guidelines for the functioning of the police force in the State;
(b) to issue directions for the performance of the preventive tasks and service oriented functions of police;
(c) to evaluate, from time to time, the performance of the police in the State in general;
(d) to prepare and submit an yearly report of its functions to the Government; and
(e) to discharge such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Government.
(2) The report submitted by the Commission under clause (d) of sub-section
(1) shall, on receipt, be placed before the Legislative Assembly.
(3) No act or proceedings of the commission shall be deemed to be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy at the time any such act
(1) The State Government may constitute a Police Establishment Board which shall be departmental body consisting of the Director General of Police as Chairman and four other senior Police Officers of the Department of the rank of Additional Director General of Police as members.
(2) The term of office of the members of the Board, the procedure for the functioning of the Board and the guidelines to be followed by the Board in the exercise of its functions shall be in such manner as may be prescribed.
The Board shall discharge the following functions, namely: -
(a) to decide on appeals, complaints and general guidelines relating to all transfers, postings, promotions and other service related matters of police officers of and below the rank of Inspector of Police, subject to the provisions of the relevant service laws as may be applicable to each category of police officers;
(b) to review the functioning of the police in the State either in general or with regard to specific instances; and
(c) to discharge such other functions as may be assigned to the Board by the Government.
(2) The Government shall give due consideration to the recommendations of the Board.
(3) The Government, may, either suo moto or on a representation filed by the affected person, for reasons to be recorded in writing, set aside or modify any decision or order of the Board.
(1) The Government shall establish a Police Complaints Authority at the State level to look into,
(i) complaints of grave misconduct of all types against police officers of and above the rank of Superintendent of Police;
(ii) Serious complaints against officers of other ranks relating to molestation of women in custody or causation of death to any person or infliction of grievous hurt to any person or rape.
(2) The State Authority shall consist of the following members, namely:-
(i) a retired Judge of a High Court who shall be the Chairman of the Authority;
(ii) a serving officer not below the rank of Principal Secretary to Government; and
(iii) a serving officer not below the rank of Additional Director General of Police.
(3) The Government shall establish Police Complaints Authority at the district lev
(1) In any local area in which he thinks fit, the District Magistrate, with the previous sanction of the Government and in consultation with the municipal or other local authority may, from time to time, make rules not inconsistent with this Act, for-
(a) licensing and controlling persons offering themselves for employment at quays, wharves, landing places, bus stands and railway stations, for the carriage of passengers baggage, and fixing and providing for the enforcement of a scale of charges for the labor of such persons so employed;
(b) regulating traffic of all kinds in streets and public places and the use of streets and public places by persons riding, driving, cycling, walking or leading or accompanying cattle so as to prevent danger, obstruction or inconvenience to the public;
(c) regulating the conditions under which vehicles may be parked in streets, and public places and the use of stree
1[(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall.
(a) by himself or by any person on his behalf, impart training, to any member or members of public in any physical activity involving methods of attack or self-defense unless he holds a permit in this behalf issued by an authority as may be prescribed; or
(b) permit the use of any premises, owned or possessed by him, for such training or organize, abet or participate is such training, as may be imparted by any person who does not hold a permit in that behalf: Provided that a person imparting such training on 18th January, 2000 shall apply for and obtain a permit therefor, within three months from the said date or within such period, as may be extended by the Government, which shall not exceed six months: Provided further that the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to any training imparted by,-
(1) The authority notified under sub-section (1) of section 18A may, by order, cancel or suspend a permit granted under the said sub-section,
(a) if any fee payable by the holder of such permit is not duly paid; or
(b) in the event of any breach by the holder of such permit or by his servant or by anyone acting with his express or implied permission on his behalf, of any of the terms and conditions of such permit; or
(c) if the holder thereof is convicted by a court of law for any offence involving moral turpitude.
(2) An appeal against an order under sub-section (1) shall lie to the Deputy Inspector General of Police having jurisdiction over the area where the place of training is situated
The Superintendent of Police may, as occasion requires, subject to any order or direction, if any, issued by the District Magistrate
(i) direct the conduct of assemblies and processions in any street and specify, by general or special notice, the routes by which and the times at which, such procession may pass;
(ii) require by general or special notice on being satisfied that any person or class of persons intend to convene or collect an assembly in any
street or to form a procession which would in his judgment, if uncontrolled, be likely to cause a breach of the peace, that the persons convening or collecting such assembly or directing or promoting such procession shall not do so without applying for and obtaining a license;
And on such application being made, the Superintendent may issue a license specifying the names of the licensees and defining the conditions on which
(1) Any Magistrate or any police officer not below the rank of Inspector or any police officer in charge of a police station may stop any procession which violates the conditions of license granted under section 19 and may order it or any assembly which violates any such conditions as aforesaid to disperse.
(2) Any procession or assembly which neglects or refuses to obey any order given under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be an unlawful assembly.
The District Magistrate may, whenever and for such time as he may consider it necessary to do so for the preservation of the public peace or public safety, by public notice or by order directed to individuals, prohibit-
(i) the carrying of swords, spears, bludgeons, guns or other offensive weapons in any public place;
(ii) the carrying, collection and preparation of stones or other articles intended to be used as missiles, or of instruments or means of casting or of impelling missiles;
(iii) the exhibition of persons, corpses, figures or effigies in any public place; and
(iv) the public utterance of cries or slogans, singing of songs or playing of music.
1[(1) The District Magistrate may. whenever he considers it necessary so to do for the preservation of the public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, by public notice or by order directed to individuals, prohibit, in any area within his jurisdiction, the holding of, or taking part in, any mass drill or mass training with arms or the carrying of arms in any procession.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section" arms" means any type of offensive weapon and includes lathi, dand and stick.
(2) No prohibition under this section shall remain in force for more than three months:
Provided that if the Government consider it necessary so to do for the preservation of public peace or public safety or for the maintenance of public order, they may, by notification in the Gazette, direct that a public notice or order issued by a District Magistrate under this section s
(1) The District Magistrate may, whenever and for such time as he may consider necessary, by public notice or by order directed to individuals, prohibit the delivery of public harangues, the use of gestures or mimetic representations and the preparation, exhibition or dissemination of pictures, symbols, placards or any other objects or thing, which-
(i) may be of a nature to outrage morality or decency: or
(ii) are likely, in the opinion of the Magistrate, to inflame religious animosity or hostility between different classes, or to insight to the commission of an offence, to a disturbance of the public peace, or to resistance to law or lawful authority.
(2) No prohibition under this section shall remain in force for more than fifteen days unless the Government, by notification in the Gazette, otherwise direct.
(1) District Magistrate may, by order in writing, prohibit any procession or public assembly whenever and for so long as he considers such prohibition to be necessary for the preservation of the public peace or public safety.
(2) No prohibition under this section shall remain in force for more than fifteen days unless the Government, by -notification in the Gazette, otherwise direct.
The Inspector General may, subject to the orders of the Government, by public notice, temporarily reserve for any public purpose any street or public place and prohibit persons from entering the area so reserved save under such conditions as may be prescribed by him.
(1) Whenever a notification, 1[order] or public notice has been duly issued under section 21, (Inserted by Act 33 of 1979 pub. in K.G. Ex. No. 797 dated 06-11-1979.)(section 21A], section 22, section 23 or section 24, then-
(a) in the case of a public notice or order issued under clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) of section 21 or under section 21A or in the case of a public notice issued under section 24, any Magistrate or any police officer, or
(b) in the case of a public notice or order issued under clause (iv) of section 21, or under section 22, or in the case of an order issued under section 23, any Magistrate or any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector, may require any person acting or about to act contrary thereto to desist or to abstain from such -action and, in case of refusal or disobedience, may arrest such person.
(2) Any Magistrate or Police Officer actin
(1) For the purpose of preventing disorder or danger to the persons assembled at any place of public resort or public assembly, the police officer of highest rank not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector who is present may, subject to such rules, directions and orders as may have been lawfully made, give such reasonable directions as he may think necessary as to the mode of admission of the public to, and for securing the peaceful and orderly conduct of persons attending at such place; and all persons shall be bound to conform to such directions.
(2) the police shall have free access to every such place of public resort or public assembly for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of subsection (1) and to any direction given thereunder.
In order to prevent or suppress any riot or grave disturbance of the peace, the District Magistrate may temporarily close or take possession of any building or place and may exclude all or any persons therefrom, or may allow access thereto to such persons only and on such terms as he may deem expedient. All persons concerned shall be bound to conduct themselves in accordance with such orders as the District Magistrate may make and notify in the exercise of the authority hereby vested in him.
(1) In any case of an actual or intended religious or ceremonial or corporate display or exhibition or organized assemblage in any street or public place, as to which or the conduct of or participation in which it appears to the District Magistrate that a dispute or contention exists which is likely to lead to disturbance of the peace, the District Magistrate may give such order as to the conduct of the persons concerned towards each other and towards the public as he deems necessary and reasonable under the circumstances, regard being had to the apparent legal rights and any established practice of the parties and of the persons interested. Every such order shall be published in the place wherein it is to operate, and all persons concerned shall be bound to conform to the same.
(2) Any order under sub-section (1) shall be subject to a decree, injunction or order made by a court having jurisdiction, and shall be recalled or altered on its being
It shall be the duty of every police officer to-
(a) promptly serve every summons, obey and execute all orders and warrants lawfully issued to him by any competent authority, and endeavor by all lawful means to give effect to the lawful commands of his superior officers;
(b) collect and communicate, to the best of his ability, intelligence concerning the commission of cognizable offences or designs to commit such offences and lay such information and take such other steps consistent with law and with the orders of his superior officers as shall best be calculated to bring offenders to justice and prevent the commission of cognizable, and within his view, of non-cognizable offences;
(c) preserve the peace and collect and communicate intelligence affecting or likely to affect the public peace;
(d) prevent to the best of his ability the commission of public nuisances;
Section 29 of the Kerala Police Act, 1960, delineates the duties, responsibilities, and powers of police officers in the State of Kerala. It emphasizes the proactive role of police in maintaining law and order, preventing offences, executing lawful orders, and ensuring public safety. This section also underscores the importance of police conduct, accountability, and the legal framework within which police actions are justified.
Section 29 prescribes specific duties of police officers, including:- Serving summons promptly and executing lawful orders and warrants [Source: ""]- Preventing the commission of offences based on reasonable apprehensions [Source: "Devdhan Lottery Services VS State Of Kerala"]- Entering and inspecting premises such as shops or liquor establishments without warrant, subject to conditions [Source: ""]- Maintaining decorum, courtesy, and propriety while dealing with the public [Source: ""]- Performing duties imposed by rules under the Act [Source: ""]- Penalties for neglect or breach of duty [Source: ""]- Preventing encroachments and maintaining public order [Source: "Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. VS State of Kerala, Represented By Its Chief Secretary too Government"]- Acting in tandem with other authorities like the District Magistrate for law enforcement [Source: "Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. VS State of Kerala, Represented By Its Chief Secretary too Government"]
Note: This commentary synthesizes the legal principles, judicial interpretations, and statutory provisions related to Section 29 of the Kerala Police Act, 1960, based on the provided sources.
(1) On the occasion of a fire in any locality, any police officer above the rank of a constable or any member of the fire services above the rank of a fireman, may-
(a) remove or order the removal of any person who by their presence interfere with or impede the operations for extinguishing the fire or for saving life or property;
(b) close any street or passage in or near which any fire is burning;
(c) by himself or those acting under his orders, break into or through, or pull down, or use for the passage of hoses, or other appliances, any premises for the purpose of extinguishing the fire, doing as little damage as possible;
(d) cause the mains and pipes of any area to be shut off so as to give greater pressure of water in the place where the fire has occurred;
(e) call on the persons in charge of any fire-engine to render such assistance as may be poss
When in a street or a place or public resort a person has possession or apparent possession of any article which a police officer in good faith suspects to be stolen property, such police officer may search for and examine the same and may require an account thereof, and should the account given by the possessor be manifestly false or suspicious, may detain such articles after taking an inventory of the same and attested by two persons of the locality and report the facts to the nearest Magistrate, who shall thereupon make such order respecting the custody or production of the article as he may think proper.
In any local area to which this section may be extended by the Government by notification in the Gazette, any police officer above the rank of a constable having reasonable ground to suspect that stolen property is concealed or lodged in any dwelling house or other place, and is likely to be removed before a search-warrant can be obtained, may search such house or place subject to the general provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, relating to searches.
Any police officer may deliver to any pawn-broker, dealer in second hand property or worker in metals, a list of any property believed to have been stolen, and thereupon it shall be the duty of such pawn broker, dealer or worker as aforesaid, upon any article answering the description of any of the property set forth in any such list being offered him in pawn, for sale or otherwise, to inquire the name and address of the person offering such article, to seize and detain the article, and forthwith to communicate to the nearest police station the fact of such article having been offered and such name and address as may be given by the person offering it. Any pawnbroker, dealer or worker as aforesaid failing to comply with the requirements of this section without reasonable excuse shall be liable on conviction to fine not exceeding fifty rupees for every such offence. Such pawnbroker, dealer or worker as aforesaid may also detain any person offering such article as afor
Any police officer above the rank of a constable may for any of the purposes mentioned in section 29 enter and inspect any shop in which liquor or intoxicating drug is kept or sold, gaming house or other place of resort of loose or disorderly characters without a warrant.
The provisions of sections 523, 524 and 525 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, shall, as nearly as may be practicable, apply to all property detained or taken charge of by the police under this Act.
A police officer may perform any duty assigned by law or by a lawful order to any officer Subordinate to him: and in case of any duty imposed on such subordinate, a superior police officer, where it shall appear to him necessary may aid, supplement, supersede or prevent any action of such subordinate by his own action or that of any person lawfully acting under his command or authority, whenever the same shall appear necessary or expedient for giving more complete or convenient effect to the law or for avoiding an infringement thereof.
Any police officer may lay any information before a Magistrate, and apply for a summons, warrant, search-warrant or such other legal process as may by law issue against any person committing an offence.
(1) All persons shall be bound to conform to the reasonable direction of a police officer given in fulfillment of any of the duties enjoined on, or in exercise of any of the powers vested in, him under this Act.
(2) A police officer may restrain or remove any person resisting or refusing or omitting to conform to any such direction as aforesaid.
(1) Every member of the police force shall on suspension or on ceasing to belong thereto, forthwith deliver upto his immediate superior officer his certificate and all clothing, accoutrements and other articles supplied to him for the execution of his duty, and in default thereof, shall on conviction be liable to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees or to imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or to both.
(2) The Inspector-General or any Magistrate may issue a warrant to search for and seize, wherever they may be found, any certificate, arms, or accoutrements, clothing or other necessary articles not delivered up as required by sub-section (1). Every warrant so issued shall be executed in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to any article which under the orders of the Inspector-General has become the property of the
Every person not being, or having ceased to be, a police officer, who-
(i) unlawfully assumes any function or power belonging to the police:
(ii) has in his possession any distinctive article of the dress or accoutrements directed to be worn exclusively by the police, without being able to account satisfactorily for the possessions thereof:
(iii) except for purposes of entertainment, puts on the dress of any police officer, or any dress designed to represent it or to be taken for it: or
(iv) otherwise personates the character or acts the part of any police officer, except for purposes of entertainment, shall on conviction, be liable to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees or to imprisonment for a period which may extend to six months, or to both.
Any police officer who-
(a) contravenes the provision of section 15:
(b) is guilty of cowardice:
(c) resigns his office or withdraws himself from the duties thereof in contravention of section 14:
(d) is guilty of any willful breach or neglect of any provision of law or any rule or order which it is his duty as such police officer to observe or obey: or
(e) is guilty of any violation of duty for which no punishment is expressly provided, shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or to fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or to both.
Any police officer who
(a) without lawful authority or reasonable cause, enters or searches or causes to be entered or searched any building, vessel, tent or place;
(b) vexatiously and unnecessarily seizes the property of any person;
(c) vexatiously and unnecessarily detains, searches or arrests any person;
(d) vexatiously and unnecessarily delays forwarding any person arrested to a Magistrate or to any other authority to whom he is legally bound to forward such person;
(e) offers any unnecessary personal violence to any person in his custody;
(f) holds out any threat or promise not warranted by law to an accused person;
(g) maliciously and without probable cause prefers any false, vexatious or frivolous charge or information against any individual; or
(h) knowingly and willfully and wi
Any police officer who, on any pretext, or under any circumstance, directly or indirectly, collects or receives any fee, gratuity, diet-money, allowance or recompense, other than he may be duly authorized to collect or receive, shall on conviction be liable, to fine not exceeding six months' pay, or to imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months' or to both.
Any police officer who directly or indirectly extorts, exacts, seeks or obtains any bribe, perquisite or unauthorized reward or consideration by any threat or pretense, for doing or omitting or delaying to do any act which it may be his duty to do or cause to be done, or for with-holding or delaying any information which he is bound to give or communicate, or who attempts to commit any of the offences above said, shall on conviction be liable to fine not exceeding twelve months' pay or to imprisonment for a term which may extend to twelve months, or to both.
(1) Whoever gives or causes to be given to any police officer or to any fire-brigade or to any member thereof or to any member of the fire services, whether by means of a street fire-alarm, statement, message or otherwise, any alarm of fire which he knows to be false, or does not believe to be true, shall on conviction be liable to fine which may extend to fifty rupees.
(2) Whoever is convicted under this section, after having been previously convicted thereunder, shall be liable to simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and shall also be liable to fine.
Whoever in any street of open place, within the limits of any local area to which this section may be extended by the Government by notification in the Gazette, does any of the following acts shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to eight days or to fine which may extend to fifty rupees or to both, provided that no such act done in any place other than a street shall be punishable as aforesaid unless such act causes or is likely to cause obstruction, inconvenience, annoyance, risk, danger or damage to the residents or passers by-
(i) slaughters any cattle, cleans any carcass, article of furniture or vehicle, or grooms any animal;
(ii) makes or repairs any vehicles or part of a vehicle (unless when in the case of an accident repairing on the spot is necessary) or carries on any manufacture or operation;
(iii) drives, drags or pushes any vehicle at any time bet
Whoever without reasonable excuse willfully enters into or on any dwelling house or other building or on any land or ground attached thereto or on any boat, vehicle or vessel, or on any ground belonging to the Government or appropriated to public purposes, shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to fine not exceeding five hundred rupees or to both.
Whoever is found, between sunset and sunrise-
(a) armed with any dangerous instrument with intent to commit an offence;
(b) having his face covered or otherwise disguised with intent to commit an offence;
(c) in any dwelling house or other building or on board any vessel or boat, without being able satisfactorily to account for his presence there.-
(d) lying or loitering in any bazaar, street, yard or other place, being a reputed thief and without being able to give a satisfactory account of himself, or
(e) having in his possession without lawful excuse any implement of house breaking, may be arrested by any police officer without a warrant and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.
In any local area to which this section may be extended by the Government by notification in the Gazette, whoever without the knowledge and consent of the owner buy any jewel, watch, fountain pen, bicycle, utensil or other article of value from any child apparently under the age of fourteen years, or takes any article on pawn or pledge from such a child shall be liable on conviction to fine not exceeding one hundred rupees.
In any local area to which this section may be extended by the Government, by notification in the Gazette, whoever, except at such times and places as the District Magistrate may allow, in, over or near any public place, lights any bonfire, discharges any fire-arm or air gun, lets off or discharges any firework, or sends up any fire-balloon, or permits such act to be done in premises over which he has control, shall be liable on conviction to fine not exceeding fifty rupees. In the event of any such act being done within any private premises the person having the immediate control of such premises shall be deemed to have permitted the act, unless he can prove that the act was committed without his knowledge.
1[Whoever in any street or public place or in any court, police station or other public office or in any place of public amusement or resort or on board any passenger boat or vessel or in any public passenger vehicle, is found drunk and incapable of taking care of himself or behaves in a disorderly manner under the influence of drink shall, on conviction, be punished-
(a) for a first offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month and with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees:
Provided that in the absence of special and adequate reasons to the contrary to be mentioned in the judgment of the court, such imprisonment shall not be less than fifteen days and fine shall not be less than fifty rupees; and
(b) for a subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees:
Whoever in any street or public place or in any court, police station or other public office or in any place of public amusement or resort or on board any passenger boat or vessel or in any public passenger vehicle, is guilty of any violent, riotous, disorderly or indecent behavior shall, on conviction, be liable to fine which may extend to fifty rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to eight days or with both].
Every person who disobeys any direction given by a police officer under this Act or rules made thereunder shall on conviction be liable to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees.
Whoever induces or attempts to induce or does any act which he knows is likely to induce, any member of the police force to withhold his services or to commit a breach of discipline, shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees or with both.
1[ Whoever is found in possession or is proved to have been in possession of anything which there is reason to believe to be stolen property or property fraudulently obtained and for the possession of which he fails satisfactorily to account, shall on conviction be liable to fine not exceeding one hundred rupees or to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or to both.]
________________
1. Inserted by Act 36 of 1979.
1[Whoever contravenes section 18A or the rules made thereunder or any of the conditions of the permit issued thereunder shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or to fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or to both.]
____________
1. Inserted by Act 7 of 2000.
Every person opposing or not obeying any order issued under section 19 or section 20 or violating the conditions of any license granted by the Superintendent of Police for the conduct of assemblies and processions, shall be liable on conviction, to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees.
For any breach of any of the conditions of a license granted under this Act, other than a license granted under section 19, the licensee shall be liable on conviction to fine not exceeding one hundred rupees notwithstanding that such breach may have been owing to the default or carelessness of his servant or agent.
Whoever contravenes any rule made under section 18 shall on conviction be liable to fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.
Whoever contravenes any prohibition made under section 21, section 22, section 23 or section 24 shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or to fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or to both.
1[Whoever contravenes any prohibition made under section 21A shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, but which shall not be lees than three months, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees].
_________________
1. Inserted by Act 33 of 1979.
Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or uses a false document for the purpose of obtaining for himself or any person, employment or release from employment as a police officer, shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.
Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other Act for any offence made punishable by this Act, or from being liable under any other Act to any other or higher penalty or punishment than is provided for such offence by this Act.
The provisions of sections 64 to 70 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and of sections 386 to 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, with respect to fines, shall apply to fines imposed under this Act.
Any public notice required to be given under any of the provisions of this Act shall be in writing signed by the officer issuing such notice, and shall be published in the locality to be affected thereby, by affixing copies, thereof in conspicuous public places or by proclaiming the same, with beat of drum or by advertising the same in the Gazette or in any newspaper having circulation in the locality as such officer may deem fit.
(1) Any order or notification published or issued by the Government under any provision of this Act and the due publication and issue thereof may be proved by the production of a copy thereof in the Gazette.
(2) Any order or notification published or issued by a Magistrate or Police Officer, under any provision of this Act may be proved by the production of a copy thereof in the Gazette or of a copy thereof signed by such Magistrate or officer and certified by him to be a true copy.
(1) Any license or written permission granted under the provisions of this Act shall specify the period and locality for which, and the conditions and restriction subject to which, the same is granted, and shall be given under the signature of the officer issuing the same.
(2) Revocation of licenses, etc.- Any license or written permission granted under this Act may at any time be suspended or revoked by the officer issuing the same if any of its conditions or restrictions is infringed or evaded by the person to whom it has been granted, or if such person is convicted of any offence in any matter to which such license or permission relates.
(3) Grantee to produce license etc., when required,- Every person to whom any such license or written permission has been granted shall, while the same remains in force at all reasonable times, produce the same, if so required by a police officer.
(1) No Magistrate or Police Officer shall be liable to any penalty or payment of damages on account of any act done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of any duty imposed or any authority conferred on him by any provision of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force conferring power on the Magistrate or Police Officer or of any rule, order or direction lawfully made or given thereunder.
(2) Person duly appointed or authorized not liable for anything done in good faith,- No person duly appointed or authorized shall be liable as aforesaid for giving effect in good faith to any such order or direction issued by the Government or by a person empowered in that behalf under this Act or any rule made under any provision thereof.
(3) Suit or prosecution not to be entertained if instituted more than six months after the date of the act complained of,- No court shall take cognizance of any suit or comp
(1) When any action or prosecution is brought or any proceedings held against any police officer for any act done by him in such capacity, it is open to him to plead that such act was done by him under authority of a warrant issued by a Magistrate.
(2) Such plea may be proved by the production of the warrant directing the act, and purporting to be signed by such Magistrate; and the defendant shall thereupon be entitled to a decree in his favor notwithstanding any defect of jurisdiction in such Magistrate. No proof of the signature of such Magistrate shall be necessary, unless the court thinks there is reason to doubt its genuineness:
Provided that any remedy which the party may have against the authority issuing such warrant shall not be affected by anything contained in this section.
Offences against this Act, when the accused person or anyone of the accused persons is a police officer, shall not be cognizable by a Magistrate below the rank of a First Class Magistrate.
It shall be the duty of every officer in charge of a police station to keep a general diary in such form as shall, from time to time, be prescribed by the Government and to record therein all complaints and charges preferred, the names of the complainants, and the names of persons, if any, against whom complaints are made, the names of all persons arrested, the offences charged against them, the weapons or property that may have been taken from their possession or otherwise and the names of witnesses who may have been examined.
The District Magistrate shall be at liberty to call for and inspect such diary.
The Government may direct the submission of such returns by the Inspector-General and other police officers as the Government may deem proper, and may prescribe the form in which such returns shall be made.
(1) The Government may. by notification in the Gazette, make rules consistent with this Act to-
(a) regulate the procedure to be followed by Magistrates and police officers in the discharge of any duty imposed upon them by or under the provisions of this Act;
(b) regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of police officers other than the-, members of the Indian Police Service;
(c) prescribe the procedure in accordance with which any license or permission sought to be obtained or required under this Act should be applied for and fix the fees to be charged for any such license or permission and;
1[(ca) prescribe the authority and the procedure for the grant of permit under section 18A, the terms and conditions of such permit and the fee to be levied for granting such permit;
(cb) prescribe the manner in which and the time within which
(1) The Travancore-Cochin Police Act, 1951, and the Madras District Police Act, 1859, as applied to the Malabar District referred to in subsection(2) of section 5 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956 are hereby repealed and the provisions of the Police Act, 1861 and of the Madras City Police Act, 1888, which have been extended to the said Malabar District, shall cease to apply in that district.
(2) All references made in any enactment to the enactments mentioned in subsection (1) shall be read as if made to the corresponding provisions of this Act.
(3) All rules prescribed, appointments made, powers conferred and orders and certificates issued under the enactments referred to in sub-section (1) shall, so far as they are consistent with this Act, be deemed to have been respectively prescribed, made, conferred and issued hereunder.
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