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

(1) This 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 theOfficial 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 differentUnion territories.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) "member of a police-force" means any person appointed or enrolled under any enactmentspecified 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.

(1) No member of apolice-force shall, without the express sanction of the Central Government or of theprescribed authority, (a) be a member of, or be associated in any way with, any trade union, labour union, politicalassociation 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 ororganisation that is not recognised as part of the force of which he is a member or is not of a purelysocial, recreational or religious nature; or (c) communicate with the press or publish or cause to be published any book, letter or otherdocument except where such communication or publication is in the bona fide discharge of his dutiesor is of a purely literary, artistic or scientific character or is of a prescribed nature. Explanation.If any question arises as to whether any society, institution, association or organisationis of a purely social, recreational or religious nature under clause (b) of this sub-section, the decision ofthe Central Government thereon shall be final. (2) No member of a police-force shall participate in, or address, any meeting or take part in anydemonstration organised by any body of persons for any political purposes or for such other purposes asmay be prescribed.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 3 shall, without prejudice to anyother action that may be taken against him, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which mayextend to two years, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the OfficialGazette, amend the Schedule by including therein any other enactment relating to a force charged with themaintenance of public order or by omitting there from any enactment already specified therein and on thepublication of the notification such enactment shall be deemed to be specified in, or as the case may be,omitted from, the Schedule. (2) A copy of every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall be laid before each House ofParliament, as soon as may be, after it is issued.