Section 15 of the Police Act, 1861: Additional Police in Disturbed or Dangerous Districts
Section 15 empowers the State Government to notify disturbed or dangerous areas and authorise additional police deployment. It also provides for allocation of the additional force's cost among certain inhabitants, subject to exemptions.
Text of Section 15 - Police Act, 1861
15. Quartering of additional police in disturbed or dangerous districts
(1) It shall be lawful for the State Government, by proclamation to be notified in the Official Gazette, and in such other manner as the State Government shall direct, to declare that any area subject to its authority has been found to be in a disturbed or dangerous state, or that, from the conduct of the inhabitants of such area or of any class or section of them, it is expedient to increase the number of police.
(2) It shall thereupon be lawful for the Inspector-General of Police, or other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf, with the sanction of the State Government, to employ any police-force in addition to the ordinary fixed complement to be quartered in the area specified in such proclamation as aforesaid.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (5) of this section, the cost of such additional police-force shall be borne by the inhabitants of such area described in the proclamation.
(4) The Magistrate of the district, after such enquiry as he may deem necessary, shall apportion such cost among the inhabitants who are, as aforesaid, liable to bear the same and who shall not have been exempted under the next succeeding sub-section. Such apportionment shall be made according to the Magistrate's judgement of the respective means within such area of such inhabitants.
(5) It shall be lawful for the State Government by order to exempt any persons or class or section of such inhabitants from liability to bear any portion of such cost.
(6) Every proclamation issued under sub-section (1) of this section shall state the period for which it is to remain in force, but it may be withdrawn at any time or continued from time to time for a further period or periods as the State Government may in each case think fit to direct.
Explanation. For the purposes of this section, "inhabitants" shall include persons who themselves or by their agents or servants occupy or hold land or other immoveable property within such area, and landlords who themselves or by their agents or servants collect rents direct from raiyats or occupiers in such area, notwithstanding that they do not actually reside therein.
Legislative history: Section 15 was substituted by Act 8 of 1895, section 4. The expression "State Government" reflects the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950, following the 1937 adaptation. Consult the official legislation for authoritative wording and local modifications.
Meaning and explanation of Section 15
Sub-section (1): The - key requirement
The State Government may issue a proclamation, notified in the Official Gazette and publicised as directed, declaring an area disturbed or dangerous, or finding that the conduct of its inhabitants makes increased police strength expedient.
Sub-section (2): Following - key requirement
Following that proclamation, the Inspector-General of Police or another authorised officer may, with State Government sanction, station additional police in the specified area.
Sub-section (3): Subject - key requirement
Subject to the exemption power in sub-section (5), inhabitants of the proclaimed area bear the cost of the additional force.
Sub-section (4): The - key requirement
The District Magistrate makes an enquiry and apportions the cost among liable, non-exempt inhabitants, taking account of their respective means.
Sub-section (5): The - key requirement
The State Government may exempt any person, class or section of inhabitants from all or part of the liability.
Sub-section (6): The - key requirement
The proclamation must specify its period of operation. The State Government may withdraw it earlier or extend it for further periods.
Who are "inhabitants" under Section 15?
The Explanation extends the term beyond people physically residing in the area. It includes persons holding or occupying land or other immovable property through themselves, agents or servants, and landlords collecting rent directly from raiyats or occupiers, even if they reside elsewhere.
Practical legal considerations
A proclamation under sub-section (1) identifies the area and its duration. Deployment of additional police under sub-section (2) requires the relevant authorisation and State Government sanction. Any apportionment of cost under sub-section (4) must be made by the District Magistrate after the enquiry considered necessary, with regard to the liable inhabitants' respective means and any exemption order.
Affected persons should examine the Gazette proclamation, deployment sanction, cost calculation, apportionment order and exemption decisions. The appropriate legal remedy depends on the applicable state law, the particular order and the circumstances; Section 15 itself does not establish a general statutory appeal.
Relationship with Sections 15A and 16
Section 15A concerns compensation for specified injury or loss resulting from misconduct of inhabitants in circumstances prescribed by that provision. Section 16 deals with recovery of amounts payable under Sections 13, 14, 15 and 15A. These provisions should be read together where a recovery or compensation claim arises.
Official legislation and references
This article provides general legal information, not a determination that the 1861 Act applies unchanged in any particular jurisdiction. Updated November 2026.