Imposition of collective fine on inhabitants of area

(1)

1. (a) If it appears to the State Government, that the inhabitants or any class or Section of inhabitants of any area are concerned in or are abetting the commission of offences resulting or likely to result in death or grievous hurt or loss of, or damage to property or extortion or kidnapping for ransom or are harbouring persons concerned in the commission of such offences or are failing to render all the assistance in their power to discover or apprehend the offenders, or are suppressing material evidence of the commission of such offences, the State Government may, by notification, impose a collective fine on such inhabitants or class or Section of inhabitants of that area.
2. (b) An order imposing a collective fine under clause (a) shall also be published in at least one newspaper having circulation in the area concerned and in such other manner as the State Government may consider best calculated to bring the order to the notice of the inhabitants of the area concerned.

1. (2) The State Government or any officer empowered in this behalf by the State Government by general or special order may exempt any such inhabitant or class or section of such inhabitant from liability to pay such fine or any portion thereof.
2. (3) the District Magistrate, after such inquiry as he may deem necessary, shall apportion such fine among the inhabitants who are liable collectively to pay it and such apportionment shall be made according to the District Magistrate's judgment of the respective means of such inhabitants.
3. (4) In making the apportionment, the District Magistrate may fix the portion to be paid by a joint or undivided family.
4. (5) The portion of such fine made payable by any inhabitant or joint or undivided family may be recovered—
   • (a) in the manner provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (No. 2 of 1974) for the recovery of fines imposed by a Court, as if such portion were a fine imposed by a court: Provided that the State Government may, in lieu of the rules referred to in sub-section (2) of Section 421 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (No. 2 of 1974) make rules under this Act regulating the manner in which warrant under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of the said Section of the said Code are to be executed, and for the summary determination of any claims made by any person other than the person liable to pay the fine in respect of any property attached in execution of the warrant; or
   • (b) as arrears of land revenue.
5. (6) An order imposing collective fine under sub-section (1) may at any time be revoked or modified by the State Government.