Police to keep order in public roads, etc
Section 31 of the Police Act, 1861 deals with police to keep order in public roads, etc. It shall be the duty of the police to keep order on the public roads, and in the public streets, thoroughfares, ghats and landing-places, and at all other places of public resort, and to prevent obstructions on the occasions of assemblies and processions on the public roads and in the public streets The Act came into force on 22 Mar 1861.
It shall be the duty of the police to keep order on the public roads, and in the public streets, thoroughfares, ghats and landing-places, and at all other places of public resort, and to prevent obstructions on the occasions of assemblies and processions on the public roads and in the public streets, or in the neighbourhood of places of worship, during the time of public worship, and in any case when any road, street, thoroughfare, ghat or landing-place may be thronged or may be liable to be obstructed.
Section 31, The Police Act, 1861 (Act 5 of 1861).
Questions about Section 31
What does Section 31 of the Police Act deal with?
Section 31 of the Police Act is headed "Police to keep order in public roads, etc". It shall be the duty of the police to keep order on the public roads, and in the public streets, thoroughfares, ghats and landing-places, and at all other places of public resort, and to prevent obstructions on the occasions of assemblies and processions on the public roads and in the public streets
How do I find court cases under Section 31 of the Police Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Police Act 1861 31, section 31 Police Act 1861, section 31 of the Police Act. People searching for it also type kerala police act 31. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 31 of the Police Act come into force?
Section 31 of the Police Act, cited as Police Act 1861 31, came into force on 22 Mar 1861, having been enacted on 22 Mar 1861. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 15A. Awarding compensation to sufferers from misconduct of inhabitants or persons interested in land1098 words
- 34. Punishment for certain offences on roads, etc667 words
- 15. Quartering of additional police in disturbed or dangerous districts373 words
- 1. Interpretation clause267 words
- 23. Duties of police-officers239 words
- 30. Regulation of public assemblies and processions and licensing of the same235 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 21 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.