The POLICE ACT, 1861

Sections

Section 1 — Interpretation clause.

The following words and expressions in this Act shall have the meaning assigned to them, unless there be something in the subject or context repugnant to such construction, that is to say— the words “Magistrate of the district” shall mean the chief officer charged with the executive administration of a district and exercising the powers of a Magistrate, by whatever designation the chief officer charged with such executive administration is styled: the word “ Magistrate” shall include all persons within the general police-district, exercising all or any of the power of a Magistrate: the word “police” shall include all persons who shall beenrolled under this Act: the words “general police-district” shall embrace any1presidency, State or place, or any part of any presidency,State or place, in which this Act shall be ordered to take effect: the words “District Superintendent” and “District Superintendent of Police” shall include any Assistant District Superintendent or other person appointed by general or special order of the 4[State Government to perform all or any of the duties of a District Superintendent of Police under this Act in any district:] the word “property” shall include any moveable property money, or valuable security: [Omitted] the word “person” shall include a company or corporation: the word “month” shall mean a calendar month: 6the word “cattle” shall, besides horned cattle, include elephants, camels, horses, asses, mules, sheep, goats and swine. References to the subordinate ranks of a police force shall be construed as references to members of that force below the rank of Deputy Superintendent.

Browse all 47 sections
  1. 1.Interpretation clause.
  2. 2.Constitution of the force.
  3. 3.Superintendence in the State Government.
  4. 4.Inspector-General of Police, etc.
  5. 5.Powers of Inspector General. Exercise of power.
  6. 6.[Repealed.].
  7. 7.Appointment, dismissal, etc., of inferior officers.
  8. 8.Certificates to police officers.
  9. 9.Police-officers not to resign without leave or two months’ notice.
  10. 10.Police-officers not to engage inother employment.
  11. 11.[Repealed.].
  12. 12.Power of Inspector-General to make rules.
  13. 13.Additional police-officer employed at cost of individuals.
  14. 14.Appointment of additional force in the neighbourhood of railway and other works.
  15. 15.Quartering of additional police in disturbed or dangerous districts.
  16. 15A.Awarding compensation to sufferers from misconduct of inhabitants or persons interested in land.
  17. 16.Recovery of moneys payable under sections 13, 14, 15 and 15A, and disposal of same when recovered.
  18. 17.Special police-officers.
  19. 18.Powers of special police-officers.
  20. 19.Refusal to serve as special police-officers.
  21. 20.Authority to be exercised by police-officers.
  22. 21.Village police-officers.
  23. 22.Police-officers always on duty and may be employed in any part of district.
  24. 23.Duties of police-officers.
  25. 24.Police-officers may lay information, etc.
  26. 25.Police-officers to take charge of unclaimed property, and be subject to Magistrate’s orders as to disposal.
  27. 26.Magistrate may detain property and issue proclamation.
  28. 27.Confiscation of property if no claimant appears.
  29. 28.Persons refusing to deliver up certificate, etc., on ceasing to be police-officers.
  30. 29.Penalties for neglect of duty, etc.
  31. 30.Regulation of public assemblies and processions and licensing of the same.
  32. 30A.Powers with regard to assemblies and processions violating conditions of license.
  33. 31.Police to keep order in public roads, etc.
  34. 32.Penalty for disobeying orders issued under last three sections, etc.
  35. 33.Saving of control of Magistrate of district.
  36. 34.Punishment for certain offences on roads, etc.
  37. 35.Jurisdiction.
  38. 36.Power to prosecute under other law not affected.
  39. 37.Recovery of penalties and fines imposed by Magistrates.
  40. 41.[Repealed.].
  41. 42.Limitation of actions.
  42. 43.Plea that act was done under warrant.
  43. 44.Police-officers to keep diary.
  44. 45.State Government may prescribe form of returns.
  45. 46.Scope of Act.
  46. 47.Authority of District Superintendent of Police over village police.
  47. FOR-FORM.FORM