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The Madras District Police Act, 1859

Central

An Act for the better regulation of the Police within the Territories subject to the Presidency of Fort St. George.

Act number
24 of 1859
Ministry
Ministry of Home Affairs
Department
Department of States
Enacted
6 Jul 1859

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

55 sections

  1. Section 1Interpretation.
  2. Section 2Laws repealed.
  3. Section 3Jurisdiction of Officers appointed under Regulation XI, 1816.
  4. Section 4Superintendence vested in Governor in Council.
  5. Section 5Inspector-General of Police, &c.
  6. Section 6Powers of Police, &c.
  7. Section 7Inspector-General to be appointed a Justice of the Peace. To have the powers of a Magistrate but to exercise such powers under the orders of Government. District Superintendent may be appointed a Magistrate. In what cases he may act in that capacity
  8. Section 8Constitution of the Force.
  9. Section 9Inspector-General to control Force and make rules.
  10. Section 10Appointment and dismissal of Police Officers.
  11. Section 11Police Officers to receive certificates of Office.
  12. Section 12Police Superannuation Fund.
  13. Section 13Additional Police Officers employed at the cost of Individuals.
  14. Section 14Appointment of additional Force in the neighbourhood of Railway and other works.
  15. Section 15Payment of money for support of additional Police Force.
  16. Section 16Special Police Officers.
  17. Section 17Powers of special Police Officers.
  18. Section 18Refusal to serve.
  19. Section 19Police Officers not to resign without leave or two months’ notice.
  20. Section 20Unlawful assumption of Police functions, personation of Police, &c.
  21. Section 21Duties of Police Officers.
  22. Section 22Police Officer may arrest without warrant.
  23. Section 23Persons arrested without warrant to be taken to Station House until brought before Magistrate or bailed
  24. Section 24Release on bail.
  25. Section 25Superior Officer of Police may take recognizance for appearance of prosecutor or witness.
  26. Section 26Condition of recognizance.
  27. Section 27Remands.
  28. Section 28Entering drinking shops, &c. without a warrant.
  29. Section 29Inspection of weights and measures.
  30. Section 30Police Officer not to receive complaints of petty offences.
  31. Section 31Police Officers may lay informations, &c.
  32. Section 32All warrants &c. to be executed by Officers of the Police Force.
  33. Section 33Warrant to be endorsed.
  34. Section 34Service of summonses, &c.
  35. Section 35Warrant without summons.
  36. Section 36Notification of substance of warrant.
  37. Section 37Warrant how to be executed.
  38. Section 38No unnecessary restraint.
  39. Section 39Breaking of outer door of window.
  40. Section 40Breaking open Zenanah or female apartment.
  41. Section 41Party arrested to be brought immediately to the authority mentioned in the warrant.
  42. Section 42No threat or promise, to compel disclosure by party arrested.
  43. Section 43Police Officer may require assistance. Penalty for refusal to assist.
  44. Section 44Penalties for neglect of duty &c.
  45. Section 45Penalty for receiving unauthorized fees, &c.
  46. Section 46Penalty for extortion, &c.
  47. Section 47Penalty for obstructing a Police Officer in the execution of his duty.
  48. Section 48Certain duties of Police Officers within the limits of Towns. Obstructions and nuisances in roads.
  49. Section 49Regulation of public processions, &c., and of carriages and persons at places of public resort.
  50. Section 50Jurisdiction.
  51. Section 51Liability to prosecution for higher penalties not affected.
  52. Section 52Levy of fines.
  53. Section 53Limitation of action.
  54. Section 54Plea that act was done under a warrant.
  55. Section 55Operation of Act.