The Hyderabad City Police are dusting off an old legal tool – externment orders under Section 26 (1) of the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli. This significant move aims to tackle persistent crime by keeping repeat offenders in check and ensuring the safety of the city’s residents.
This specific provision grants the Commissioner of Police the authority to command certain individuals to leave the city or adhere to strict preventive measures. Such orders are typically issued when an individual’s presence poses a credible threat of danger, alarm, or harm to people’s lives or property.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand highlighted the significance of this revival, stating, “An order for externment has not been utilized in a very long time. We’ve meticulously reviewed the provision and are now bringing it back into practice. I’ve instructed my officers to refresh all related notices and legal frameworks. If necessary, we will certainly be using this power more frequently.”
The City Police Act specifies that this authority can be exercised when there’s a suspicion that someone intends to disrupt public peace, or when witnesses are too intimidated to testify openly. Interestingly, it can also be invoked if a person’s continued presence might contribute to the spread of epidemic diseases – a clause that speaks to its historical context.
Specifically, these orders target individuals with multiple convictions for offenses outlined in particular sections of the Indian Penal Code or the Gambling Act. A copy of each externment order is also sent to the Chief City Magistrate for official record.
These externment notices are just one component of a broader, comprehensive strategy by the city police. This strategy includes enhanced patrols, meticulous intelligence gathering, and proactive community policing efforts. The ultimate goal is to prevent criminal elements from reassembling and to dismantle organized crime networks, thereby safeguarding the public and upholding law and order.
Commissioner Anand further emphasized the commitment to enforcement: “We will rigorously monitor compliance. Any violation of an externment order will result in appropriate action. In certain situations, particularly for habitual offenders, relocation through externment can also serve as a protective measure for the individual themselves, mitigating risks they might face.”