THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, 1955

ACT NO. 22 OF 1955 · Enacted [8th May, 1955.] · 23 sections

Section 1.Short title, extent and commencement.

Section 2.Definitions.

Section 3.Punishment for enforcing religious disabilities.

Section 4.Punishment for enforcing social disabilities.

Section 5.Punishment for refusing to admit person to hospitals, etc.

Section 6.Punishment for refusing to sell goods or render services.

Section 7.Punishment for other offences arising out of “untouchability”.

Section 7A.Unlawful compulsory labour when to be deemed to be a practice of “untouchability”.

Section 8.Cancellation or suspension of licences in certain cases.

Section 9.Resumption or suspension of grants made by Government.

Section 10.Abetment of offence.

Section 10A.Power of State Government to impose collective fine.

Section 11.Enhanced penalty on subsequent conviction.

Section 12.Presumption by Courts in certain cases.

Section 13.Limitation of Jurisdiction of Civil Courts.

Section 14.Offences by companies.

Section 14A.Protection of action taken in good faith.

Section 15.Offences to be cognizable and triable summarily.

Section 15A.Duty of State Government to ensure that the rights accruing from the abolition of “untouchability” may be availed of by the concerned persons.

Section 16.Act to override other laws.

Section 16A.Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, not to apply to persons above the age of fourteen years.

Section 16B.Power to make rules.

Section 17.Repeal.