The Kerala Police Act, 1960
The Kerala Police Act, 1960
Criminal196084 sections8 chapters
The Kerala Police Act, 1960, serves as the primary legislation governing the organization, discipline, and functions of the police force within the State of Kerala. It establishes the framework for police administration, including the creation of the State Security Commission and the Police Complaints Authority to ensure institutional accountability. The Act regulates public order, including the management of processions, assemblies, and the use of public spaces. For citizens, it defines the duties of police officers, outlines penalties for public nuisances and disorderly conduct, and provides mechanisms for lodging complaints against police misconduct, thereby balancing public safety with individual rights and oversight.
Chapter I Chapter I →
Chapter II Chapter II →
- 3Constitution of Police force
- 3ASeparation of Investigation from Law and Order
- 4Insertion of new section 57A
- 4AMinimum Tenure of Police Officers
- 5Control and direction by District Magistrate
- 6In exercising authority under this section, the District Magistrate shall be governed by such rules and orders as the Government may, form time to time, make in this behalf.
- 7Subordinate Police Officers to receive certificates of office
- 8Additional Police Officers employed at cost of individuals
- 9Additional force in neighbourhood of the railway and other works
- 10Recovery of moneys payable under sections 8 & 9
- 11Special police officers
- 12Provided that no person who has conscientious objection to serve as a police officer shall be required to act as such police officer.
- 13Punishment for refusal to serve
Chapter III Chapter III →
Chapter III A →
Chapter IV POLICE REGULATIONS →
- 18Powers to make rules for regulation of traffic and for preservation of orders in public places etc
- 18ARegulation of certain physical training
- 18BProvided that no prosecution shall be instituted against any person in respect of any offence under subsection (1), without the previous sanction of the District Magistrate.
- 19Regulations of public assemblies and processions and music in streets
- 20Powers to deal with assemblies and processions violating conditions of licence
- 21Power to prohibit the carrying swords, spears, etc
- 21APower to prohibit mass drill, mass training, etc
- 22Power to prohibit delivery of public harangues, etc
- 23Power to prohibit any procession or public assembly
- 24Power to reserve any street or public place
- 25Enforcement of orders issued under sections 21 to 24
- 26Power to give directions to prevent disorder at places of public resort or public assembly
- 27Issue of orders by District Magistrate for prevention of riot, etc
- 28Issue of orders for maintenance of order at religious, ceremonials etc
Chapter V Chapter V →
- 29Duties of Police Officers
- 30Powers of police on the occasion of fire
- 31Power to deal with property suspected to be stolen
- 32Powers to search for stolen property in certain cases without warrant
- 33Pawn-broker, etc., to report stolen property if tendered for pawn or sale
- 34Such pawn-broker, dealer or worker is aforesaid may also detain any person offering such article as aforesaid pending the arrival of the police.
- 35Applicability of the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure
- 36A superior police officer may himself perform duties imposed on his inferior, etc
- 37Police officer may lay information, etc
- 38Persons bound to conform to reasonable directions of police
Chapter VI Chapter VI →
- 39Certificate, arms, etc., to be delivered up by person ceasing to be a police officer
- 40Unlawful assumption of police functions, personation of police etc
- 41Penalties for neglect of duties, etc
- 42Vexatious entry, search, arrest, etc., by police officers
- 43Penalty for receiving unauthorised fees, etc
- 44Penalty for extortion
- 45Penalty for false alarm of fire
- 46Punishment for certain offences on street and open places
- 47Penalty for wilful trespass
- 48Penalty for being found armed between sunset and sunrise intending to commit an offence, etc
- 49Penalty for buying or taking pledge from a child
- 50Penalty for lighting bonfire discharging fire-arm etc., in, over or near any public place
- 51Penalty for being drunk and for disorderly behaviour
- 51APenalty for riotous or indecent behaviour in street etc
- 52Penalty for failure to conform to lawful and reasonable directions of Police Officers
- 53Penalty for inducing Police Officers to withhold service etc
- 53APenalty for possession of property believed to have been stolen
- 53BPenalty for contravention of section 18A
- 54Penalty for contravention of the provisions of sections 19 and 20
- 55Penalty for breach of conditions of licences
- 56Contravention of rules and orders
- 57Contravention of prohibition made under sections 21, 22, 23 or 24
- 57AContravention of prohibition made under section 21A
- 58False statement to obtain employment
- 59Power to prosecute under other laws not affected
- 60Recovery of fines imposed by Magistrates
Chapter VII MISCELLANEOUS →
- 61Public notices how to be given
- 62Method of proving order and notification issued under the Act
- 63Licences and written permission to specify conditions, etc., and to be signed
- 64Magistrate or Police Officer not liable for anything done in good faith
- 65Provided that no action shall lie when such Magistrate, Police Officer or other person has been prosecuted criminally for the same act.
- 66Provided that any remedy which the party may have against the authority issuing such warrant shall not be affected by anything contained in this section.
- 67Police Officers to keep diary
- 68The District Magistrate shall be at liberty to call for and inspect such diary.
- 69Power of Government to make rules
- 70Repeal
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