Section 45 of The Madras District Police Act, 1859 in hindi
Penalty for receiving unauthorized fees, &c.
Any Police-officer who shall on any pretext, or under any circumstances, directly or indirectly collect or receive any fee, gratuity, diet-money allowance or recompense, other than he may be duly authorized by the Inspector-General or other Officer acting under his order to collect or receive shall, on conviction before a Magistrate be liable to a penalty not exceeding six months’ pay, or to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, not exceeding six months or both.
Summary
- Police officers are banned from taking any unauthorized fees, allowances, or rewards under any excuse.
- Only the Inspector-General, or an officer acting under their orders, can legally authorize an officer to collect fees or allowances.
- Taking these fees directly or indirectly is a crime.
- A Magistrate can sentence an offending officer to a fine up to six months of pay, jail with or without hard labour for up to six months, or both.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a police officer ever accept a fee or gratuity?
Yes, but only if they are duly authorized by the Inspector-General or another officer acting under the Inspector-General's orders to collect it.
2. What is the punishment for taking unauthorized money?
An officer can face a fine up to six months of pay, up to six months of imprisonment with or without hard labour, or both.
3. Does it matter if the officer had a friend collect the money for them?
Yes, the law forbids receiving unauthorized fees either directly or indirectly.
Test yourself
1.Under Section 45 of The Madras District Police Act, 1859, who has the authority to permit a police officer to collect a fee or recompense?
2.Under Section 45 of The Madras District Police Act, 1859, what is the maximum jail sentence for an officer who accepts an unauthorized gratuity?
3.Under Section 45 of The Madras District Police Act, 1859, which of the following is explicitly listed as a type of unauthorized payment an officer might improperly collect?
4.Under Section 45 of The Madras District Police Act, 1859, who holds the trial to convict an officer of receiving unauthorized fees?