Bombay Abolition of Whipping Act, 1957, (Maharashtra) Preamble - Bare Act

THE BOMBAY ABOLITION OF WHIPPING ACT, 1957

[ Act No. 39 of 1957]¹

[28th September, 1957]

Amended by Maharashtra Repealing and Amending Act, 1991 (Mah. Act No. 22 of 1991).

INTRODUCTION

Whipping as a form of punishment was existing in the Pre-British and British India. Several instances can be found that this form of punishment was widely prevalent in the Presidency Area of Bombay during East India Company and thereafter. The old Act of 1909 provided for whipping as a possible punishment for several categories of offences criminal and civil. Convicted men, women, children, prostitutes, juvenile delinquents, prisoners and beggars were subjected to lashed.

This barbarous punishment was abolished as there was an international movement against it. The Central Legislation was passed in 1955 and now whipping as a form of punishment is abolished.

PREAMBLE

An Act to provide for the abolition of whipping as a punishment in the State of Bombay.

WHEREAS Parliament has enacted the Abolition of Whipping Act, 1955, for the purpose of the abolition of whipping as a punishment;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the abolition of whipping as a punishment in the State of Bombay and for that purpose to repeal the Bombay (Emergency Powers) Whipping Act, 1947 and further to amend the Bombay Prevention of Prostitution Act, 1923 and also the Prisons Act, 1894 in the areas in the State to which it extends but excluding the Saurashtra area; It is hereby enacted in the Eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows :--

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1. For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Bombay Government Gazette, 1957, Pt. V, p. 144.