The Madras District Police Act, 1859

The following words and expressions in this Act shall have the meanings herebyassigned to them, unless there be something in the subject or context repugnant to such construction (thatis to say), “Magistrate.” The word Magistrate shall include all persons, within their respectivejurisdictions, exercising all or any of the powers of a Magistrate; “Subordinate.”The word “Subordinate,” as applied to Police functionaries, shall meanDistrict Superintendents and their Assistants. “Police.”The word “Police” shall include General and Village Police, Cuttoobadies,Kavilgars, and all other persons, by whatever name known, who exercise any Police functionsthroughout the Madras Presidency. “General Police District.” The expression General Police District shall embrace all districtsto which the operation of this Act shall be extended; “Property.” The word property shall include any movable property, money or valuablesecurity; Number.Words importing the singular mumber shall include the plural number, and wordsimporting the plural number shall include the singular number. Gender.Words importing the masculine gender shall include females. “Person.”The word “person” shall include company or corporation. “Month.”The word “month” shall mean calendar month. “Cattle.” The word cattle shall, besides horned cattle, include elephants, camels, horses,asses, mules, sheep, goats and swine

The several Regulations and Acts mentioned in the Schedule hereunto annexedare hereby repealed and amended to the extent and in the manner therein set forth, within the limits of theGeneral Police District; except so far as they repeal the whole or any part of any other Regulation or Act,and except as to any act or offence which shall have been done or committed, or to any fine or penaltywhich shall have been incurred or to any proceedings which shall have been commenced, before this Actshall come into operation : Proviso. Provided also that nothing in this Section shall be construed to affectany judicial function or jurisdiction original or appellate, which by any existing law may be exercised byany of the Officers mentioned in the enactments above repealed.

Nothing contained in this Actshall affect the powers of appointment given to Magistrates by Section XL of Regulation XI. 1816 of theMadras Code or the jurisdiction or functions of Officers appointed under such powers, save only that noOfficer so appointed shall be competent to exercise any of the functions or duties of Executive PoliceOfficers.

The superintendence of the policethroughout the General Police District shall vest in, and be exercised by the Governor in council, and,except as authorized by him under the provisions of this Act, no person, Officer, or Court shall beempowered to appoint, supersede, or control any Police functionary, any Regulation Act or usage to thecontrary notwithstanding.

The administration of the Police throughout the GeneralPolice District shall be vested in an Officer to be styled the Inspector-General of Police for the Presidencyof Madras, and in such Subordinates as to the Governor in Council shall seem fit, who shall from time totime be appointed by the Governor in Council, and may be removed by the same authority, and who shallreceive such salary as the Governor General of India in Council shall allow.