PROBATION OF OFFENDERS ACT, 1958
(1) This Act may be called the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958.
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(3) It shall come into force in a State on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different parts of the State.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
(a) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)1;
(b) “probation officer” means an officer appointed to be a probation officer or recognised as such under section 13;
(c) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(d) words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)2, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Code.
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1. Now see Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
When any person is found guilty of having committed an offence punishable under section 379 or section 380 or section 381 or section 404 or section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1860) or any offence punishable with imprisonment for not more than two years, or with fine, or with both, under the Indian Penal Code, or any other law, and no previous conviction is proved against him and the court by which the person is found guilty is of opinion that, having regard to the circumstances of the case including the nature of the offence, and the character of the offender, it is expedient so to do, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the court may, instead of sentencing him to any punishment or releasing him on probation of good conduct under section 4 release him after due admonition.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, p
(1) When any person is found guilty of having committed an offence not punishable with death or imprisonment for life and the court by which the person is found guilty is of opinion that, having regard to the circumstances of the case including the nature of the offence and the character of the offender, it is expedient to release him on probation of good conduct, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the court may, instead of sentencing him at once to any punishment direct that he be released on his entering into a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive sentence when called upon during such period, not exceeding three years, as the court may direct, and in the meantime to keep the peace and be of good behaviour:
Provided that the court shall not direct such release of an offender unless it is satisfied that the offen
Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, provides a legal mechanism for the release of offenders on probation, aiming at reform and rehabilitation rather than punishment alone. It emphasizes judicial discretion, considering the nature of the offence and the character of the offender, with the overarching goal of preventing recidivism and promoting social reintegration.
Section 4 empowers courts to release any offender, who is not guilty of an offence punishable with death or life imprisonment, on probation of good conduct. The section mandates that the court may, after conviction, release the offender on entering into a bond with or without sureties, and may impose conditions including supervision, for a specified period. The section explicitly excludes offences punishable with death or life imprisonment from its scope.
In summary, Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, provides a flexible, discretionary framework aimed at reforming offenders through conditional release, excluding serious offences punishable with death or life imprisonment. The section emphasizes judicial discretion, the importance of probation officer reports, and the rehabilitative objective of the law, fostering a balanced approach between justice and societal reintegration.
(1) The court directing the release of an offender under section 3 or section 4, may, if it thinks fit, make at the same time a further order directing him to pay—
(a) such compensation as the court thinks reasonable for loss or injury caused to any person by the commission of the offence; and
(b) such costs of the proceedings as the court thinks reasonable.
(2) The amount ordered to be paid under sub-section (1) may be recovered as a fine in accordance with the provisions of sections 386 and 387 of the Code.
(3) A civil court trying any suit, arising out of the same matter for which the offender is prosecuted, shall take into account any amount paid or recovered as compensation under sub-section (1) in awarding damages.
(1) When any person under twenty-one years of age is found guilty of having committed an offence punishable with imprisonment (but not with imprisonment for life), the court by which the person is found guilty shall not sentence him to imprisonment unless it is satisfied that, having regard to the circumstances of the case including the nature of the offence and the character of the offender, it would not be desirable to deal with him under section 3 or section 4, and if the court passes any sentence of imprisonment on the offender, it shall record its reasons for doing so.
(2) For the purpose of satisfying itself whether it would not be desirable to deal under section 3 or section 4 with an offender referred to in sub-section (1) the court shall call for a report from the probation officer and consider the report, if any, and any other information available to it relating to the
The report of a probation officer referred to in sub-section (2) of section 4 or sub-section (2) of section 6 shall be treated as confidential :
Provided that the court may, if it so thinks fit, communicate the substance thereof to the offender and may give him an opportunity of producing such evidence as may be relevant to the matter stated in the report.
(1) If, on the application of a probation officer, any court which passes an order under section 4 in respect of an offender is of opinion that in the interests of the offender and the public it is expedient or necessary to vary the conditions of any bond entered into by the offender, it may, at any time during the period when the bond is effective, vary the bond by extending or diminishing the duration thereof so, however, that it shall not exceed three years from the date of the original order or by altering the conditions thereof or by inserting additional conditions therein:
Provided that no such variation shall be made without giving the offender and the surety or sureties mentioned in the bond an opportunity of being heard.
(2) If any surety refuses to consent to any variation proposed to be made under sub-section (1), the court ma
(1) If the court which passes an order under section 4 in respect of an offender or any court which could have dealt with the offender in respect of his original offence has reason to believe, on the report of a probation officer or otherwise, that the offender has failed to observe any of the conditions of the bond or bonds entered into by him, it may issue a warrant for his arrest or may, if it thinks fit, issue a summons to him and his sureties, if any, requiring him or them to attend before it at such time as may be specified in the summons.
(2) The court before which an offender is so brought or appears may either remand him to custody until the case is concluded or it may grant him bail, with or without surety, to appear on the date which it may fix for hearing.
(3) If the court, after hearing the case, is satisfied that the offe
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The provisions of sections 122, 126, 126A, 406A, 514, 514A, 514B and 515 of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply in the case of bonds and sureties given under this Act.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or any other law, an order under this Act, may be made by any court empowered to try and sentence the offender to imprisonment and also by the High Court or any other court when the case comes before it on appeal or in revision.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, where an order under section 3 or section 4 is made by any court trying the offender (other than a High Court), an appeal shall lie to the court to which appeals ordinarily lie from the sentences of the former court.
(3) In any case where any person under twenty-one years of age is found guilty of having committed an offence and the court by which he is found guilty declines to deal with him under section 3 or section 4, and passes against him any sentence of imprisonment with or without fine from which no app
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, a person found guilty of an offence and dealt with under the provisions of section 3 or section 4 shall not suffer disqualification, if any, attaching to a conviction of an offence under such law :
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a person who, after his release under section 4 is subsequently sentenced for the original offence.
Section 12 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, addresses the issue of disqualification attached to a conviction when an offender is dealt with under the provisions of Sections 3 or 4 of the Act. It aims to mitigate the adverse civil consequences typically associated with criminal convictions, especially disqualifications that impact employment, public office, or other civil rights.
Section 12 states:
"Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, a person found guilty of an offence and dealt with under the provisions of section 3 or section 4 shall not suffer disqualification, if any, attaching to a conviction of an offence under such law."
It further clarifies:
"Nothing in this section shall apply to a person who, after his release under section 4, is subsequently sentenced for the original offence."
In essence, if a person is dealt with under Sections 3 or 4 (which include release on probation or admonition), any disqualifications that would normally attach to a conviction are waived, unless they are specifically excluded.
Section 12 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, plays a vital role in balancing the rehabilitative purpose of the Act with civil and employment rights. It ensures that dealing with offenders under the Act does not automatically lead to disqualification or stigmatization, fostering reintegration into society while maintaining the authority of law to take disciplinary action based on conduct. Judicial interpretations have clarified that its scope is limited to waiving certain legal disqualifications, not barring all consequences of criminal activity, especially those related to misconduct or specific statutory disqualifications.
Note: The references are based on the provided sources, which include judicial decisions, legal commentaries, and authoritative interpretations.
(1) A probation officer under this Act shall be—
(a) a person appointed to be a probation officer by the State Government or recognised as such by the State Government; or
(b) a person provided for this purpose by a society recognised in this behalf by the State Government; or
(c) In any exceptional case, any other person who, in the opinion of the court, is fit to act as a probation officer in the special circumstances of the case.
(2) A court which passes an order under section 4 or the District Magistrate of the district in which the offender for the time being resides may, at any time, appoint any probation officer in the place of the person named in the supervision order.
Explanation.—F
The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, was enacted to provide for the release of certain offenders on probation instead of sentencing them to imprisonment. This Act aims to rehabilitate offenders and reintegrate them into society, emphasizing reform over punishment.
Section 13 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, pertains to the appointment and duties of probation officers. It outlines the framework for the role of probation officers in supervising offenders placed on probation.
The section provides a legal basis for the establishment of probation officers, who play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process of offenders. It allows for the appointment of special probation officers in specific cases, enhancing the flexibility of the probation system.
Section 13 does not prescribe punishment for offenders but rather focuses on the administrative aspect of probation management. The effectiveness of probation officers can significantly influence the outcomes of probationary sentences.
This commentary highlights the significance of Section 13 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, in establishing a framework for the rehabilitation of offenders through the appointment and duties of probation officers.
A probation officer shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions, as may be prescribed,—
(a) inquire, in accordance with any directions of a court, into the circumstances or home surroundings of any person accused of an offence with a view to assist the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with him and submit reports to the court;
(b) supervise probationers and other persons placed under his supervision and, where necessary, endeavour to find them suitable employment;
(c) advise and assist offenders in the payment of compensation or costs ordered by the Court;
(d) advise and assist, in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed, persons who have been released under section 4; and
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Every probation officer and every other officer appointed in pursuance of this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the State Government or any probation officer or any other officer appointed under this Act in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rules or orders made thereunder.
(1) The State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) appointment of probation officers, the terms and conditions of their service and the area within which they are to exercise jurisdiction;
(b) duties of probation officers under this Act and the submission of reports by them;
(c) the conditions on which societies may be recognised for the purposes of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 13;
(d) the payment of remu
Nothing in this Act shall affect the provisions of section 31 of the Reformatory Schools Act, 1897 (8 of 1897), or sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (2 of 1947), 1[***] or of any law in force in any State relating to juvenile offenders or Borstal Schools.
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1. The words “or the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956” omitted by Act 46 of 1978, sec. 20 (w.e.f. 2-10-1979).
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Subject to the provisions of section 181 section 5622 of the Code shall cease to apply to the States or parts thereof in which this Act is brought into force.
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1. Now see sections 16 and 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
2. Now see section 360 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
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