The Tamil Nadu Prevention of Couching Act, 1945

1. (1) This Act may be called the [Tamil Nadu] Prevention of Couching Act, 1945. (2) It extends to the whole of the [State of Tamil Nadu].

2. In this Act-- (i) "couching," means the operative displacement by the use of a needle or other instrument, of the opaque crystalline lens of the eye so as to cause it to be below the axis of vision ; (ii) "registered practitioner" means a person registered under the [Tamil Nadu] Medical Registration Act, 1914.

3. Whoever, not being a registered practitioner, or not possessing a qualification entitling him to be registered under the [Tamil Nadu] Medical Registration Act, 1914, performs or attempts to perform couching on a person whether with or without his consent, or agrees to perform couching on a person, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Central Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, an offence against this Act shall be cognizable and bailable and may be compounded with the permission of the Court.

(1) No Magistrate inferior to that of a Magistrate of the second class shall try any offence against this Act.