Punjab act 011 of 1947 : East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947

Preamble

1East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947*

[East Punjab Act No. 11 of 1947][4th December, 1947]
1 2 3 4
Year No. Short title Whether repealed or otherwise affected by legislation
1947.. 11 The East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947 Amended in part by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950

An Act to provide for the arrest and punishment of members of armed bands

It is hereby enacted as follows:-

1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see East Punjab Government Gazette, 1947, page 48; for proceedings in the Assembly, see East Punjab Legislative Assembly Debates, Volume I, 1947, pages 48-60 and 172-77.

* [Received the assent of his Excellency the Governor of East Punjab on the 4th December, 1947, and was first published in the East Punjab Government Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 8th December, 1947.]

Preamble

1East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947*

[East Punjab Act No. 11 of 1947][4th December, 1947]
1 2 3 4
Year No. Short title Whether repealed or otherwise affected by legislation
1947 11 The East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947 Amended in part by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. Amended by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1968.2

An Act to provide for the arrest and punishment of members of armed bands.

It is hereby enacted as follows:-

1. For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see East Punjab Government Gazette, 1947, page 48; for proceedings in the Assembly, see East Punjab Legislative Assembly Debates, Volume I, 1947, pages 46-60 and 172-77.

* [Received the assent of His Excellency the Governor of East Punjab on the 4th December, 1947, and was first published in the East Punjab Government Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 8th December, 1947]

2. See Haryana Government Gazette (Extra), dated the 29th October, 1968, pages 531-567.

Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement

1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947.

(2) It extends to the whole of 2[Punjab].

(3) It shall come into force in such areas and on such date or dates as the 3[State] Government may, by notification, appoint in this behalf.

2 Substituted for the words "East Punjab" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

3 Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order.

Section 2. Interpretation

2. Interpretation.- In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context-

(a) "Arms" has the meaning given to it in the Indian Arms Act, 1878 (XI of 1878), and includes any weapon, or thing capable of being used as weapon, which if used for offence, is likely to cause grievous hurt or death; but does not include licensed arms or arms for which no license is under the provisions of the said Act or the rules made thereunder, required;

(b) "Armed band" means any assembly or group of five or more persons, all or any of whom carry or carries, arms;

Provided that no public servant who carries any arms in pursuance of his duties as such public servant shall be treated as member of an armed band;

(c) "The Code" means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898;

(d) "Concentration Camp" means any camp established by or under the authority of the 1[State] Government for the dentention of persons contravening any of the provisions of this Act;

(e) "Grievous hurt" has the meaning given to it in section 320 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860); and

(f) "Public servant" has the meaning given to it in section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860);

1 Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order.

Section 3. Power to arrest members of armed bands

3. Power to arrest members of armed bands.- (1) Any Magistrate and any police officer not below the rank of Station House Officer may arrest without warrant any member of an armed band, and if resistance is offered to the arrest, may fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, in order to effect such arrest.

(2) The procedure laid down in sections 41 to 53 of the Code shall be so far as may be, applicable to arrests effected under sub-section (1).

Section 4. Procedure after arrest

4. Procedure after arrest.- (1) The officer effecting the arrest shall with all convenient speed take or send the arrested person to the officer-incharge of the nearest concentration camp.

(2) The officer-in-charge of a concentration camp may pending trial keep the arrested person in detention for a period not exceeding one month.

Section 5. Power to establish concentration camps

5. Power to establish concentration camps.- (1) The 1[State] Government and with the authority of the 1[State] Government the District Magistrate, within the area under his jurisdiction, may establish concentration camps.

(2) The 1[State] Government may by general or special order prescribe the organization of such camps and determine the conditions as to maintenance, discipline and the punishment of offences and breaches of discipline which shall be applicable to persons kept in custody in such camps.

1 Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 6. Offences and penalties

6. Offences and penalties.- (1) Whoever is a member of an armed band shall on conviction for such offence by a competent Criminal Court be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.

(2) Whoever being a member of an armed band resists his arrest by or under the orders of a duly authorized officer shall on conviction for such offence by a competent Criminal Court be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.

Section 7. Procedure

7. Procedure.- Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Code any Magistrate trying an offence under this Act may if he thinks fit try any such offence summarily according to the procedure prescribed in Chapter XXII of the Code.

Section 8. Offences under the Act to be non-bailable

8. Offences under the Act to be non-bailable.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code any offence punishable under this Act shall be non-bailable.

Section 9. Special provision regarding bail

9. Special provision regarding bail.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code no person accused of an offence made punishable by this Act shall if in custody be released on bail or on bond unless-

(a) the prosecution has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and

(b) where the prosecution opposes the application the Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence.

Section 10. Jurisdiction barred

10. Jurisdiction barred.- No prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the 1[State] Government against any person in respect of anything done or purporting to be done in exercise of the powers conferred under sections 3 and 4 of this Act, or under any order made under sub-section (2) of section 5.

1 Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 11. Operation of other penal laws not barred

11. Operation of other penal laws not barred.- Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act which constitutes an offence punishable under this Act.

Section 12. Repeal of Ordinance VI of 1947

12. Repeal of Ordinance VI of 1947.- The East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Ordinance, 1947, is hereby repealed.

Section 4. Procedure after arrest

4. Procedure after arrest.- (1) The officer effecting the arrest shall with all convenient speed take or send the arrested person to the officer-in-charge of the nearest concentration camp.

(2) The officer-in-charge or a concentration camp may pending trial the arrested person in detention for a period not exceeding one month.

Section 10. Jurisdiction barred

10. Jurisdiction barred.- No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the 1[State] Government against any person in respect of anything done or purporting to be done in exercise of the powers conferred under sections 3 and 4 of this Act, or under any order made under sub-section (2) of section 5.

1. Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 11. Operation of other penal laws not barred

11. Operation of other penal laws not barred.- Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act which constitutes an offence punishable under this Act.

Section 7. Procedure

7. Procedure.- Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Code any Magistrate trying an offence under this Act may if he thinks fit try any such offence summarily according to the procedure prescribed in Chapter XXII of the Code.

Section 8. Offence under this Act to be non-bailable

8. Offence under this Act to be non-bailable.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code any offence punishable under this Act shall be non-bailable.

Section 12. [Repeal]

12. Repeal.- The East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Ordinance, 1947, is hereby repealed.

Section 5. Power to establish concentration camps

5. Power to establish concentration camps.- (1) The 1[State] Government and with the authority of the 1[State] Government the District Magistrate within the area under his jurisdiction, may establish concentration camps.

(2) The 1[State] Government may by general or special order prescribe the organization of such camps and determine the conditions as to maintenance, discipline and the punishment of offences and breaches of discipline which shall be applicable to person kept in custody in such camps.

1. Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

1. Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement

1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the East Punjab Armed Bands (Arrest and Detention) Act, 1947.

(2) It extends to the whole of 3[the principal territories].

(3) It shall come into force in such areas and on such date or dates as the 4[State] Government may, by notification, appoint in this behalf.

3. Substituted for the word "Punjab" by the Adaption of Laws Order, 1968.

4. Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 2. Interpretation

2. Interpretation.- In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context-

(a) "Arms" has the meaning given to it in the Indian Arms Act, 1878, and includes any weapon, or thing capable of being used as weapon, which if used for offence, is likely to cause grievous hurt or death; but does not include licensed arm or arms for which no license is under the provisions of the said Act or the rules made thereunder, required;

(b) "Armed band" means any assembly or group of live or more persons, all or any of whom carry or carries arms:

Provided that no public servant who carries any arms in pursuance of his duties as such public servant shall be treated as member of an armed baud;

(c) "The Code" means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898);

(d) "Concentration Camp" means any camp established by or under the authority of the 1[State Government for the detention of persons contravening any of the provisions of this Act;

(e) "Grievous hurt" has the meaning given to it in section 320 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860); and

(f) "Public servant" has the meaning given to it in section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (XLV) of 1860).

1. Substituted for the word "Provincial" by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.

Section 3. Power to arrest members of armed bands

3. Power to arrest members of armed bands.- (1) Any Magistrate and any police officer not below the rank of Station House Officer may arrest without warrant any member of an armed band and if resistance is offered to the arrest may fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, in order to effect such arrest.

(2) The procedure laid down sections 41 to 53 of the Code shall be, so far as may be, applicable to arrests effected under sub-section (1).

Section 6. Offences and penalties

6. Offences and penalties.- (1) Whoever is a member of an armed band shall on conviction for such offence by a competent Criminal Court be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.

(2) Whoever being a member of an armed band resists his arrest by or under the orders of a duly authorized officer shall on conviction for such offence by a competent Criminal Court be punished with imprisonment of either description which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.

Section 9. Special provision regarding bail

9. Special provision regarding bail.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code no person accused of an offence made punishable by this Act shall if in custody be released on bail or on bond unless-

(a) the prosecution has been given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release; and

(b) where the prosecution opposes the application the Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such offence.