(1) This Act may be called the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1977.

(2) It extends to the whole of Jammu and Kashmir State. It shall come into force on the 1st day of Baisakh, 1978.

(1) When at any time 2 [the Government] is satisfied that the State or any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease, [the Government] if it thinks that the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose, may take, or require or empower any person to take, such measures and, by public notice, prescribe such temporary regulations to be observed by the public or by any person or class of persons as it shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof, and may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred (including compensation if any) shall be defrayed.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the Government may take measures and prescribe regulations for

(a) Omitted.

(b) the inspection of travellers, and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommodation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting officer of being infected with any such disease.

Any person disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Ranbir Penal Code.

No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done or in good faith intended to be done under this Act.

1. Sanctioned by His Highness the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur per Chief Minister's endorsement No. 8372, dated 11th September, 1920 read with State Council Resolution No. 1 dated 8th April, 1925 (Notification No. 14-L/81).

2. Substituted for the words His Highness by Act X of Samvat 1996.