Police Order No.

04 of 1962
Sub:- Planned action against rowdyism.

1. With rapid industrialization and sharp rise of urban population all over West Bengal, rowdyism is
very likely to increase unless the problem is tackled in a planned way. To deal with the problem in
an effective manner the following orders are issued in suppression of Police Order Nos. 15 of
1954, 17 of 1954, 20 of 1954 and other previous orders on the subject issued from time to time.

2. Rowdyism may take various forms extending from teasing of school and college girls to snatching
and robbery. The main forms of rowdyism are:-

a) Passing of incident remarks to ladies, school and college girls.

b) Intimidation of law-abiding people by acts of violence or by show of force or by abusive
language.
c) Forcible collection of subscriptions.
d) Taking sides in petty quarrels between landlords and tenants or between tenants and
tenants and threatening people of the opposite party.
e) Disorderly conduct.
f) Rioting
g) Snatching and robbery

3. Rowdies can be dealt with effectively only when there is proper collection of intelligence and anti-
social elements feel that the police with the help of the lawabiding public are determined to take
prompt and effective action against them and genuine complains against them will not be ignored. It
is, therefore, essential that the police must have very strong support of the public. Many people
suffering at the hands of bullies do not come to police station to lodge complaints against them. The
reason is that many such complaints being non-cognizable in nature the complaints are referred to
Court. Although this is technically correct, the police should interfere and make enquiries if the
information discloses that there is likelihood of breach of the peace. Prompt enquiry and action taken
to prevent breach of the peace not only earn goodwill of the people but very often prevent small
incidents exploding into big riots. In future, when a complaint is lodged at police station and it is found
on questioning and complainant that there is apprehension of breach of the peace, prompt local
enquiries should be immediately done even through the complaint may be non-cognizable in nature.

4. It is of utmost importance that before any enquiry is made the complaint should be clearly recorded
in the General Diary indicating date, time and place of occurrence of the incident. The possible motive
of the person complained against should also be recorded. The officer making the entry in the General
Diary should question the informant on the above points before making the entry. A sample entry is
noted below:- ―

“Gopen Roy of No. 6, Ramkrishnapore Ghat Road, came to the P.S and reported that this morning at
about 8 a.m. While he was passing along Kalikumar Mukherjee Lane, one Naren Singh alias Makhan
residing at 8, Kalikumar Mukherjee Lane accosted him on the road and demanded Rs. 5 for drinks. On
his refusal to give the money Makhan became furious abused him filthily and threatened him with dire
consequences. Gopen further reported that Makhan is also in the habit of extorting money in the form
of loan which he never repays and indulge in various forms of black mailing”.

The result of enquiry should also be briefly noted in the General Dairy with reference to the previous
entry in the General Diary. The entry should be very clear and should indicate the correct facts as
 ascertained on enquiries. The enquiring officer should be very cautious and must examine
disinterested persons so that no innocent person is harassed.

When a request is made (as is something done) that the name of the complainant should not be
disclosed special steps should be taken to ensure that the name of the complainant is not divulged in
any way in course of the enquiries.

The assistance of the members of the Special Constabulary and of Resistance Groups may also be
sought in obtaining information about rowdies and their antisocial activities.

5. A register entitled ―Register of Roughs‖ which may in common parlance be described as Roughs
Register should be maintained in every town and industrial police station and in other areas where
there is a concentration of anti-social elements. The Register of Roughs should be regarded as an
addendum to Part III and IV of Village Crime Note Book. This should be a confidential document as laid
down in Regulation 391(a) of P.R.B, Vol. I. If the Superintendent of Police desires it may be maintained
in other police stations also. The register should be maintained in the following proforma:-

…………………………………………… Police station

…………………………………..district
Date of opening
Date of closing with the name of the officer passing the order

1. Name of the rough with aliases, if any:

2. Age (Approximate year of birth): 156
3. Descriptive roll with physical peculiarities and photo, if any:
4. Father‘s Name:
5. Address:
6. Profession or occupation, if any, of the subject with brief particulars:
7. Probable resorts and haunts:
8. F.P. Formula (where possible)
9. Associates with addresses:
10. Near relations with their addresses:
11. Short biography:
12. Running history:

N.B.- In the running history all the criminal activities of the subject including reasonable suspicion of
his complicity in cases and or complaints against him with case numbers if any, and results of the cases
etc. should be mentioned in separate paragraphs which should be numbered chronologically. Against
each entry in the running history there should be reference of the G.D. entries case diaries source
reports, mass petitions, petty cases etc, as the case may be.

The register will have three parts viz., "A” “B” and “C”. Each part viz, “A”, “B”, and “C” should be
maintained in separate volumes. A few pages should be allotted for every person whose name is
recorded in part “A” and part “B”. As for part “C” one or two pages for each person may be allotted.

Part “A” will contain names and particulars of “confirmed roughs” who are residents of the police
station concerned part “B” will contain the names and particulars of “confirmed roughs” who are not
residents of the police station but operate within the jurisdiction of the police station. Names of
homeless “confirmed roughs” will be entered in Part “B”. Part “C” will contain names and particulars
 of those who are “novices” in the line. In other words the names of budding goondas will be entered
in part “C”. They may be either residents or non-residents of the police station concerned.

Name of persons who have ample records of the types of rowdyism mentioned earlier should be
entered in the register part “A” or part “B” after the records have been checked by the Circle Inspector.
As for part “C” when there are more than two instances of rowdyism of any person his name should
be entered in part “C”. If anyone has a very bad reputation in the locality as a bully his name should
be entered in part “C” of the register although there may not be any concrete instance of rowdyism
against him. It is very essential that when a name is entered in the rough register part “C” on the
ground of very bad reputation a thorough enquiry should be made by an officer not below the rank of
a Sub-Inspector before the entry is made. If possible the Officer-in-charge himself should make the
enquiry.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector should be specially deputed in writing by the Officer-incharge to maintain

the “Register of Roughs” under the personal supervision of the Officer-in-charge.

6. Officer-in-charge of police stations should in course of their daily scrutiny of General Diary entries and
Non-F.I.R or pretty case Registers satisfy themselves that relevant notes from the General Diary
entries, Non-F.I.R and Petty Case Registers have been made in the “Roughs” “Register” against the
rowdies concerned. Before the dispatch of the copy of the General Diary to the Circle Inspector, note
should be recorded against the relevant entries showing if these have been entered in the “Roughs
Register”. In course of their visits to the police-stations Circle Inspectors should go through the Petty
Case Registers and Roughs‘ Register and satisfy themselves that necessary entries have been properly
made. Such checking should be done at least one a month by the Circle Inspectors and as a token of
their checking they should initial with dates in the last page of the Roughs‘ Register

7. When the activities of a non-resident rough come to notice, the Officer-in-charge of the police-station
concerned should not only see that necessary entries are made in Part “B” of the Roughs‘ Register but
ensure that the information is sent promptly to the Officer-in-charge of the police-station concerned
where the rough resides so that necessary entries are made in Part “A” of the Roughs‘ Register of the
other policestation.

8. When the Part “C” roughs‘ indulge frequently in rowdy and anti-social acts their names should be
transferred from Part “C” to Part “A” or Part “B”, as the case may be, of the Roughs‘ Register. When
there is no entry against a Part “C” rough for full one year from the date of entry of his name in the
register his name may be struck off from the register by the Officer-in-charge of the police-station
concerned in consultation with the Circle Inspector.

No name should be struck off from Part “A” or Part “B” of the Roughs‘ Register without the order in
writing of the Superintendent of Police or the Additional Superintendent of Police. In such cases Circle
Inspectors should send their recommendations to Superintendent of Police or Additional
Superintendent of Police through the S.D.P.O., if any.

9. The Circle Inspectors will have in their offices full lists of the names of roughs with their address which
are on record in the different Roughs‘ Registers of the policestations under them. The lists should be
thana wise and maintained separately for each type of register. The Circle Inspectors should once a
quarter check up their own lists with the rough register under them. They will initiate action, where
necessary, under the P. D. Act.

10. Under the existing laws a rough can be dealt with in the following ways.
 (i) Prosecution in specific cases, like robbery, rioting, grievous hurt, etc,
(ii) Prosecution in the appropriate cases for obscene acts and songs. Under section 294, I.P.C.
(This is a cognizable offence.)
(iii) Prosecution for riotous and indecent behaviour under sections 34(6) and 34(7) of the Police
Act (Act V of 1861), where this section is applicable or any other Act which may be locally
applicable.
(iv) Action under section 108(C) , Cr PC
(v) Action under section 107, Cr PC
(vi) Action under section 110(f), Cr. PC
(vii) Action under the P. D. Act
Action under the West Bengal Security Act may also be taken in appropriate cases.

11. List of persons bound down under section 106 or under section 118, Cr PC, should be maintained at
the police-station with the names of sureties. The list should be maintained with the following
columns:-

1. Sl. No.:
2. Name and address of the complainant:
3. Gist of the complaint with date and place of occurrence:
4. Names and addresses of the persons “with aliases” bound down:
5. Period for which bound down:
6. Order of Magistrate with date:
7. Names and addresses of the sureties:
8. Remarks:

Information regarding order passed under section 106 or under section 118, Cr. P.C., should be
furnished immediately by the Court Inspector or Court Sub-Inspector to the Officer-in-charge of the
police-stations where the persons bound down ordinarily reside.

If during the period, a person is bound down, there are complaints against him an immediate enquiry
should be made and if on enquiry the complaints are found to be true the court should be moved for
taking action against the person and the sureties.

12 All Sub-Inspector of police-stations should be in touch with the various Clubs and Institutions in their
areas. They should cultivate the habit of developing friendly relation with as many law abiding citizens
of the locality as possible. This is the best way of collecting correct information. If information is
received that any particular Tea Stall, Restaurant, Eating House or Bar is the resort of rowdies and
other types of antisocial elements, the Officer-in-charge should verify the information and if found
correct he should warn the proprietor / keeper of the Tea Stall, Restaurant, etc.

13. As far as possible roughs and rowdies should be arrested “ in the act”. In other words, attempt should
be made to arrest the roughs and rowdies when they indulge in some specific act of rowdyism. Every
effort, therefore, should be made to reach the place of occurrence without the least possible delay.
Where wireless vans are available, they may be utilized by contacting the Control Room, Careful watch
will result in “redhanded arrests”. When “novices” are arrested, guardians should be sent for. If the
guardians undertake to look after their wards, further action need not be taken and an application
may be filed in the court for discharge of the arrested persons. If, however, there is a very bad case,
appropriate action under the law should be taken.

14. It is very necessary that all Constables, Head Constables, Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors
posted to thanas and T.O.Ps should know the roughs by face. If a recent photograph of a rough is
available, the same should be shown frequently to all officers and men.
 If any information relating to rowdyism is collected by officers of the District Enforcement Branch or
by any officer other than of a police-station, that should promptly be passed on to the Officer-in-charge
of the police-station concerned. There should be complete understanding among the officers of the
different branches of the Police Department so that there is perfect team work. It is not necessary to
detail any particular officer for collection of intelligence about roughs. This is one of the primary duties
of every police officer. Cases involving rowdyism should ordinarily be investigated by thana officer. In
special cases the investigation may be done by a Pool Officer or by an officer of the District
Enforcement Branch.

15. There is a special type of rowdyism with which we come across in Railway districts only. We quite often
read in the news papers about cases in which railway employees were assaulted by rowdy passengers
or the movement of trains was obstructed as a crude method of voicing the grievances of passengers.
While every citizen has the right to voice his grievances, nobody is permitted by our Constitution to
take the law in his own hands or to indulge in illegal activities. Though these incidents of lawlessness
occur in the jurisdiction of the Railway police, the miscreants are mostly residents of areas
administered by the thana police of districts. As these people are either daily passengers or local
miscreants, it should not be difficult for the Officer-in-charge in cooperation with their counterparts
of the Railway police to find out the ring leaders. The information of disturbances of the above nature
in the nearby railway police area should be entered in the General Diary of the neighboring district
police-station Officers-in-charge of the District Police should try to find out the names of the ring
leaders. One it is possible to spot out the ring leaders, history sheets should be opened, their names
entered in the appropriate “Roughs‘ Register” and if facts justify, action under the P.D. Act should be
taken.

Another type of rowdyism which is very much on the increase in the town and industrial area generally
occurs after an accident is caused by lorry or other motor vehicle. This type of rowdyism should receive
special attention. It should be the endeavour of every Officer-in-charge of the police-station to try to
find out the miscreants and the ring leaders with a view to taking preventive action.

16. It is repeated that in dealing with complaints all officers should be particularly careful so that innocent
persons are not harassed. The stress should always be on the quality of work. Arrests should always
be selective so that the fear of arrest does not disappear from the minds of roughs and rowdies.

U. MUKHARJI, Inspr.-Genl.
-----
By order
B.C. MUKHARJI, Special officer,
West Bengal Police Directorate
 Police Order No. 02 of 1966

Sub :- Planned action against Rowdyism-Register of Roughs.

Amendment to P.O No. 4 of 1962 published in the “West Bengal Police Gazette” dated 20.07.62.

Substitute the following paragraph 5:-

5. A register entitled “Register of Roughs” which may in common parlance be described as Roughs
Register should be maintained in every town and industrial police station and in other areas where
there is a concentration of anti-social elements. The Register of Roughs should be regarded as an
addendum to part III and IV of village Crime Note Book. This should be a confidential document as laid
down in Regulation 391(a) of P.R.P Vol I. If the Superintendent of Police desires it may be maintained
in other Police stations also. The Register should be maintained in the following proforma:

……………………………… Police station

……………………………………District
Date of opening
Date of closing with the name of the officer passing the order

1. Modus operandi:
2. Name of the rough with aliases, if any:
3. Age (Approximate year of birth):
4. Descriptive roll with physical peculiarities and photo, if any:
5. Father‘s name:
6. Address:
7. Profession or occupation, if any of the subject with brief particulars:
8. Probable resorts and haunts:
9. F.P. Formula (where possible):
10. Associate with addresses:
11. Near relations with their addresses:
12. Short biography:
13. Running history:
N.B. i) A classification of the roughs may be made as per modus operandi, e.g.-
1. A bully.
2. An Eve Teaser.
3. A communal Agitator.
4. A seller of illicit liquor.
5. An illicit distiller
6. A protector of smugglers.
7. A protector of thieves and pickpockets etc.

The above classification is only illustrative and not exhaustive. New modus operandi may come to light
and roughs may have to be classified accordingly.

ii) In the running history, all the criminal activities of the subject including reasonable suspicion of his
complicity in cases and/or complaints against him with case no., if any and results of the cases etc.
should be mentioned in separate paragraphs which should be numbered chronologically. Against each
entry in the running history, there should be reference of the G.D. entries case diaries source reports,
mass petitions, petty cases, etc as the case may be.
The register will have three parts viz, “A”, “B” and “C”. Each part viz., “A”, “B”,”C” should be mentioned
in separate volumes. A few pages should be allotted for every person whose name is recorded in part
“A” and part “B”. As for part “C” one or two pages for each person may be allotted.

Part “A” will contain name and particulars of “confirmed roughs” who are residents of the police
station concerned. Part “B” will contain the names and particulars of “confirmed roughs” who are not
residents of the police station but operate within the jurisdiction of the police station. Names of
homeless “confirmed roughs” will be entered in Part “B”. Part “C” will contain names and particulars
of those who are “novices” in the line. In other words the names of budding goondas will be entered
in the part “C”. They may be either residents or no-residents of the police station concerned.

Names of persons who have ample records of the types of rowdyism mentioned earlier should be
entered in the register part “A” or part “B” after the records have been checked by the Circle Inspector.
As for part “C” when there is one or more instances of rowdyism of any person, his name should be
entered in part “C”. If anyone has a very bad reputation in the locality as a bully, his name should be
entered in part “C” of the register although there may not be any concrete instance of rowdyism
against him. It is essential that when a name is entered in the rough register part “C” on the ground of
very bad reputation, a through enquiry should be made by an officer not below the rank of a Sub-
Inspector before the entry is made. If possible the officer-in-charge himself should make the enquiry.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector should be specially deputed in writing by the office-incharge to maintain

the “Register of Roughs” under the personal supervision of the officer-in-charge.

By order
B.C. Mukharji
Special officer (Regulation),
West Bengal Police Directorate
 Police Order No. 06 of 1968

Sub :- Planned action against rowdyism.

The last sentence in the concluding sub-paragraph of paragraph 14 in Police Order 4 of 1962 viz “In
special cases the investigation may be done by a pool officer or by an officer of the District
Enforcement Branch” is hereby deleted.

By order
B.BHATTACHARYYA
Special officer (Regulation),
West Bengal Police Directorate