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Delhi Police Act, 1978 | Act 34 of 1978

Section 141 Delhi Police Act: Licence Conditions, Suspension and Revocation

Section 141 governs the form, duration, territorial scope and conditions of licences and written permissions issued under the Delhi Police Act, 1978. It also explains when an authorisation may be suspended or revoked, the consequences of expiry and the duty to produce it when lawfully requested.

Key point: A licence or written permission must state its period, locality and applicable conditions and must bear the signature of the competent authority. Holding an expired, suspended or revoked permission does not amount to holding a valid permission for the purposes of this Act.

Section 141: Statutory text

(1) Any licence or written permission granted under the provisions of this Act shall specify the period and locality for which, and the conditions and restrictions subject to which, the same is granted, and shall be given under the signature of the competent authority.

(2) Any licence or written permission granted under this Act may at any time be suspended or revoked by the competent authority if any of its conditions or restrictions are infringed or evaded by the person to whom it has been granted, or if such person is convicted of any offence with respect to any matter to which such licence or permission relates.

(3) When any such licence or written permission is suspended or revoked, or when the period for which the same was granted has expired, the persons to whom the same was granted shall, for all purposes of this Act, be deemed to be without a licence or written permission, until the order for suspending or revoking the same is cancelled, or until the same is renewed, as the case may be.

(4) Every person to whom any such licence or written permission has been granted shall, while the same remains in force, at all reasonable times, produce the same, if so required by a police officer.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this section any such infringement or evasion by, or conviction of, a servant or other agent acting on behalf of the person to whom the licence or written permission has been granted shall be deemed to be infringement or evasion or, as the case may be, conviction of, the person to whom such licence or written permission has been granted.

Source: India Code - Delhi Police Act, 1978 (official PDF). Statutory text reproduced from the original webpage and checked against the official Act.

Meaning and requirements of Section 141(1)

Sub-section (1) requires each licence or written permission granted under this Act to identify the period for which it operates, the locality to which it applies and the conditions and restrictions governing its use. It must be issued under the signature of the competent authority.

The term competent authority refers to the authority legally empowered to grant the particular licence or permission under the Act and applicable rules or regulations. A permission for one locality or period should not be treated as authority for a different place or later date.

Section 141(2): Suspension and revocation

The competent authority may suspend or revoke a licence or written permission if the holder infringes or evades its conditions or restrictions, or is convicted of an offence concerning a matter to which the permission relates. Suspension temporarily prevents reliance on the permission while the order remains effective; revocation withdraws it. The exercise of these powers remains subject to applicable legal and procedural safeguards.

Section 141(3): Effect of expiry, suspension or revocation

Where a permission expires or is suspended or revoked, the holder is deemed to be without a licence or written permission for the purposes of the Act. This continues until the suspension or revocation order is cancelled or the permission is renewed, as applicable. An application for renewal should not be assumed to extend validity unless the applicable legal framework expressly provides for it.

Section 141(4): Production before police

A holder must produce the licence or written permission at reasonable times when required by a police officer while it remains in force. Keeping an accessible copy and checking any applicable requirements concerning original documents can help avoid disputes during inspection.

Explanation: Acts of servants and agents

The statutory Explanation attributes certain infringements, evasions or convictions involving a servant or other agent acting on the licence holder's behalf to the holder for purposes of Section 141. A licence holder should therefore ensure that employees and authorised agents understand the permission's restrictions and comply with them.

Practical example

Suppose a permission under the Act authorises a regulated activity only within a specified locality and until a specified date. Conducting that activity elsewhere, continuing after expiry or ignoring an express condition may expose the holder to action under the relevant provisions. Whether a particular activity requires permission, and the applicable consequences, depend on the governing rules and facts.

Frequently asked questions

Does a licence remain valid after its expiry date?

No. Under Section 141(3), an expired licence or written permission is treated as absent for purposes of the Act until renewed, subject to any applicable legal provisions.

Can the competent authority revoke a licence for breaching conditions?

Yes. Section 141(2) expressly allows suspension or revocation on the grounds specified there, subject to applicable law.

Can an employee's conduct affect the licence holder?

Yes. The Explanation to Section 141 provides for attribution of specified conduct by servants or agents acting on behalf of the holder.

Reviewed: 20 October 2026. This article is general legal information, not advice for a particular dispute. Consult the Act, current notifications and applicable licensing regulations before acting.