Vidhi Codex

The Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959

The Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959

General195927 sections5 chapters

The Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959, regulates the registration, surveillance, and rehabilitation of repeat criminals in Maharashtra, India. It applies to habitual offenders, defined as adults convicted of specific offences at least three times within a five year period. The law matters because it empowers government authorities to closely monitor these individuals through mandatory reporting, fingerprinting, and movement restrictions. Additionally, it establishes corrective training settlements designed to reform offenders rather than just punishing them. By combining strict monitoring, enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses, and rehabilitative training, the Act aims to prevent crime and safely integrate these individuals back into society.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II REGISTRATION OF HABITUAL OFFENDERS AND RESTRICTION OF THEIR MOVEMENTS →

  1. 3Power of State Government to direct registration of habitual offenders.
  2. 4Procedure for preparing a register of habitual offenders.
  3. 5Charge of register and alterations therein.
  4. 6Power to take finger and palm impressions, foot-prints and photographs at any time.
  5. 7Registered offenders to notify change of residence and to report themselves.
  6. 8Procedure by District Magistrates on change of residence of habitual offender to other district.
  7. 9Duration of registration and re-registration of habitual offenders.
  8. 10Right to make representations against re-registration, etc.
  9. 11Power to restrict movements of registered offenders.
  10. 12Power to cancel or alter restrictions of movements.
  11. 13Powers under sections 11 and 12 also exercisable by certain Magistrates.

Chapter III CORRECTIVE TRAINING OF HABITUAL OFFENDERS →

  1. 14Establishment of corrective settlements.
  2. 15Power to direct habitual offenders to receive corrective training.
  3. 16Power to transfer or discharge from corrective settlement.

Chapter IV PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE →

  1. 17Penalty for failure to comply with certain provisions of the Act.
  2. 18Arrest of persons found outside restriction area or corrective settlement.
  3. 19Enhanced punishment for certain previously convicted persons.
  4. 20Punishment for certain registered offenders found under suspicious circumstances.
  5. 21Penalty for failure to arrest a habitual offender.

Chapter V MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 22Bar of jurisdiction.
  2. 23Bar of legal proceedings.
  3. 24Power to delegate.
  4. 25Power to make rules.
  5. 26Savings.
  6. 27Repeal and savings.

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