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The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Official text of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, added in batches as later units need more of it. This first batch covers Section 133 — the Executive Magistrate's power to order removal of a public nuisance — the provision most relevant to environmental pollution.

Act No. 2 of 1974

  • Enacted by: Parliament of India
  • Came into force: 1 April 1974
  • Extent: Whole of India (subject to territorial variations)
  • Long title: An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Criminal Procedure.

Section 133 — Conditional order for removal of nuisance

(1) Whenever a District Magistrate or a Sub-divisional Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate specially empowered in this behalf by the State Government, on receiving the report of a police officer or other information and on taking such evidence (if any) as he thinks fit, considers—

(a) that any unlawful obstruction or nuisance should be removed from any public place or from any way, river or channel which is or may be lawfully used by the public; or

(b) that the conduct of any trade or occupation, or the keeping of any goods or merchandise, is injurious to the health or physical comfort of the community, and that in consequence such trade or occupation should be prohibited or regulated or such goods or merchandise should be removed or the keeping thereof regulated; or

(c) that the construction of any building, or, the disposal of any substance, as is likely to occasion conflagration or explosion, should be prevented or stopped; or

(d) that any building, tent or structure, or any tree is in such a condition that it is likely to fall and thereby cause injury to persons living or carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing by, and that in consequence the removal, repair or support of such building, tent or structure, or the removal or support of such tree, is necessary; or

(e) that any tank, well or excavation adjacent to any such way or public place should be fenced in such manner as to prevent danger arising to the public; or

(f) that any dangerous animal should be destroyed, confined or otherwise disposed of,

such Magistrate may make a conditional order requiring the person causing such obstruction or nuisance, or carrying on such trade or occupation, or keeping any such goods or merchandise, or owning, possessing or controlling such building, tent, structure, substance, tank, well or excavation, or owning or possessing such animal or tree, within a time to be fixed in the order—

(i) to remove such obstruction or nuisance; or

(ii) to desist from carrying on, or to remove or regulate in such manner as may be directed, such trade or occupation, or to remove such goods or merchandise, or to regulate the keeping thereof in such manner as may be directed; or

(iii) to prevent or stop the construction of such building, or to alter the disposal of such substance; or

(iv) to remove, repair or support such building, tent or structure, or to remove or support such tree; or

(v) to fence such tank, well or excavation; or

(vi) to destroy, confine or dispose of such dangerous animal in the manner provided in the order,

or, if he objects so to do, to appear before himself or some other Executive Magistrate subordinate to him at a time and place to be fixed by the order, and show cause, in the manner hereinafter provided, why the order should not be made absolute.

(2) No order duly made by a Magistrate under this section shall be called in question in any civil court.

Section 141 — Procedure where existence of public right is denied

(1) Where an order is made under section 133 for the purpose of preventing obstruction, nuisance or danger to the public in respect of any way, river, channel or place, the Magistrate shall, before making the order, unless he has already done so, give notice thereof to the district magistrate or the local authority, if any, having authority in respect of that way, river, channel or place, and afford to such magistrate or authority a reasonable opportunity of being heard before the order is made.

(2) Except in the case last mentioned, the Magistrate shall, before making the order absolute, take evidence as in a summons-case and if he is satisfied that the order, either as originally made or subject to such modification as he considers necessary, is reasonable and proper, the order shall be made absolute without modification, or, as the case may be, with such modification.

Section 144 — Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger

(1) In cases where, in the opinion of a District Magistrate, a Sub-divisional Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf, there is sufficient ground for proceeding under this section and immediate prevention or speedy remedy is desirable, such Magistrate may, by a written order stating the material facts of the case and served in the manner provided by section 134, direct any person to abstain from a certain act or to take certain order with respect to certain property in his possession or under his management, if such Magistrate considers that such direction is likely to prevent, or tends to prevent, obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquillity, or a riot, or an affray.

This page reproduces the text of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (added incrementally, batch by batch) for study purposes. It is not a certified or legally authoritative copy — always verify against the official Government of India publication for legal use, and note that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure for proceedings after 1 July 2024; these sections remain relevant for study of the law as it stood, and as it continues to be cited in Environmental Law examinations.
NyayaSaral explains law in simple language for learning purposes. It is not legal advice — always consult a qualified advocate for your specific situation.

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