The Police-Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966

Act No. 33

2-Dec-1966

Section 1 — Short title, extent and commencement

1. Short title, extent and commencement .

(1)Th is Act may be called the Police -Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966.

(2)It extends to the whole of India.

(3)It shall come into force on such 1date as may be appointed in this behalf by notification in the Official Gazette, -

(a)in a 2Union territory, by the Central Government; and

(b)in a 3State by the Government of that State : Provided that different dates may be appointed by the Central Government for different Union territories.

Section 2 — Definitions

2. Definitions .-In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a)“member of a police -force” means any person appointed or enrolled under any enactment specified in the Schedule;

(b)“police -force” includes any force charged with the maintenance of public order ;

(c)“prescribed ” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

Section 3 — Restrictions resp ecting right to form association, freedom of speech , etc

3. Restrictions resp ecting right to form association, freedom of speech , etc.

(1)No member of a police -force shall, without the express sanction of the Central Government or of the prescribed authority, -

(a)be a member of, or be associated in any way with, any trade union, labo ur union, political association or with any class of trade unions, labour unions or political associations; or

(b)be a member of, or be associated in any way with, any other society, institution, association or organisation that is not recognised as part of the force of which he is a member or is not of a purely social, recreational or religious nature; or

(c)communicate with the press or publish or cause to be published any book, le tter or other document except where such communication or publication is in the bona fide discharge of his duties or is of a purely literary, artistic or scientific character or is of a prescribed nature . Explanation. -If any question arises as to whether a ny society, institution, association or organisation is of a purely social, recreational or religious nature under clause ( b) of this sub -section, the decision of the Central Government thereon shall be final.

Section 1 — 3rd December, 1966 , vide notification No. G.S.R. 1848, dated 3 rd December, 1966, in respect of the Union territory of Delhi ,

1. 3rd December, 1966 , vide notification No. G.S.R. 1848, dated 3 rd December, 1966, in respect of the Union territory of Delhi , see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3( i).

Section 2 — 1st August, 1967, vide notification No. S.O. 1122(E), dated 20th July, 1967, in respect of the Union territories of Andaman

2. 1st August, 1967, vide notification No. S.O. 1122(E), dated 20th July, 1967, in respect of the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec . 3(ii).