Report No. 249

2. Madras Public Property (Malversation) Act, Act 36 of 1837

Category: Land Laws

Recommendation: Repeal in consultation with relevant State(s)

This Act extended the jurisdiction of the Collectors, Subordinate Collectors and Assistant Collectors to cases of embezzlement of any public property or the falsification, destruction or concealment of any public account, record, voucher or document, relating to any public property. It is in force in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Although enacted by the Governor-General-in-Council prior to independence, it is now administered by the relevant State which also has the power to repeal or amend this law. Therefore, the Central Government should write to the concerned State Government seeking its opinion in regard to this law. Thereafter, the Central Government should also remove this law from its lists of central Acts in force. This Act has also been recommended for repeal by the PC Jain Commission Report (Appendix A-5).