Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920
No: 33 Dated: Sep, 09 1920
THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920
ACT NO. 33 OF 1920
An Act to authorise the taking of measurements and photographs of convicts and others.
WHEREAS it is expedient to authorize the taking of measurements and photographs of convicts and others; it is hereby enacted as follows: —
1. Short title and extent.—(1) This Act may be called the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920; and
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the territories which, immediately before lst November, 1956, were comprised in Part B States
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—
(a) “measurements” include finger impressions and foot-print impressions;
(b) “police officer” means an officer in-charge of a police-station, a police officer making an investigation under Chapter XIV of the 5Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), or any other police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector; and
(c) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act
3. Taking of measurements, etc., of convicted persons.—Every person who has been—
(a) convicted of any offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards, or of any offence which would render him liable to enhanced punishment on a subsequent conviction; or
(b) ordered to give security for his good behaviour under section 118 of the 1Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), shall, if so required, allow his measurements and photograph to be taken by a police officer the prescribed manner
4. Taking of measurements, etc., of non-convicted persons.—Any person who has been arrested in connection with an offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards shall, if so required by a police officer, allow his measurements to be taken in the prescribed manner.