Report No. 64

6.45. Section 22-Amendment recommended.-

As already indicated,1 changes regarding the competent Magistrate, should be made in this section.

1. See discussion regarding section 2, definition of "Magistrate".

6.46. It has been suggested1 that section 22 should be repealed. It is stated that we should trust all our magistrates-and eventually even Gram Panchayats-when we want to fight commercial vice not only in cities but also in remote rural areas. It is not correct to think that such vice exists only in cities. The suggestion is based on a misconception. Section 22 does not require that only Magistrates in cities can be empowered. Moreover, Gram Panchayats are not debarred, by this provision, from trying an offence, if they are otherwise competent (under the Panchayat Act in force in the State), to try that offence.

1. Suggestion of the Central Bureau of Correctional Services.