identification of Prisoners Act, 1920

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THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title and extent 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Taking of measurements, etc., of convicted persons 
4.  Taking of measurements, etc., of non-convicted persons 
5.  Power of Magistrate to order a person to be measured or photographed 
6.  Resistance to the taking of measurements, etc. 
7.  Destruction of photographs and records of measurements, etc., on acquittal 
8.  Power to make rules 
9.  Bar of suits 
 
 
  
 
 

 
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THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACT, 1920 
1ACT No. XXXIII OF 1920 
[9th September, 1920]  
An Act to authorise the taking of measurements and photographs of convicts and others. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to authorise  the taking of measurements and photographs of 
convicts and others;  
It is hereby enacted as follows:__  
1.Short title and extent.___(1) This Act may be called the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920; 
and  
2[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.]  
2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-  
(a)  “measurements" include finger impressions and foot-print impressions;  
(b)  “police officer" means an officer -in-charge of a police-station, a police officer 
making an investigation under Chapter XIV of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898 (V of 1898), 3or any other police officer not below the rank of sub -
inspector; and  
(c)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.  
3. Taking of measurements, etc., of convicted persons. Every person who has been-  
(a)  convicted of any offence punishable4 with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 
one year or upwards, or of any o ffence which would render him liable to 
enhanced punishment on a subsequent conviction, or  
(b)  ordered to give security for his good behavior under section 118 of the Code of 
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), shall, if so required, allow his 
measurements and photograph to be taken by a police officer in the prescribed 
manner.  
 
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1920, Pt. V, p. 162; and for Proceedings in Council, see ibid., 1 920, Pt. VI, pp. 1037 and 
1143.  
This Act has been amended in its application to the Province of Sind by Bombay Acts 11 of 1922, 4 of 1935 and 21 of 1935.  
It has been applied to Phulera in the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal to the extent the Act is applicable in the N.W.F.P., and extended to the Excluded 
Area of Upper Tanawal (N.W.F.P) other than Phulera with effect from such date and subject to such modifications as may be not ified, see N.W.F.P. 
(Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950. )  
2Subs. by the Central Laws (Statue Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. ( with effect from the 14th October, 1955), for the original 
sub-section (2), as amended by A.O., 1949, and the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1951 (26 of 1951), s. 8.  
3In the application of the  Act to the Province of Sind, certain words have been ins. here by the Identification of Prisoners (Bombay Amdt.) Act, 1922 
(Bom. 11 of 1922), s. 3.  
4In the application of the Act to Province of Sind, certain words have been ins. here by the Identification of Prisoners (Bombay Second Amdt.) Act, 1935 
(Bom. 21 of 1935), s. 2.  
 
 
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1[4. Taking of measurements, etc., of non -convicted persons. Any person who has been 
arrested in connection with an offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of one ye ar 
or upwards shall, if so required by a police officer, allow his measurements to be taken in the prescribed 
manner.  
5. Power of Magistrate to order a person to be measured or photographed. If a Magistrate 
is satisfied that, for the purposes of any inves tigation or proceeding under the Code of Criminal 
Procedure, 1898 2 (V of 1898), it is expedient to direct any person to allow his measurements or 
photograph to be taken, he may make an order to that effect, and in that case the person to whom the 
order relates shall be produced or shall attend at the time and place specified in the order and shall 
allow his measurements or photograph to be taken, as the case may be, by a police officer:  
Provided, that no order shall be made directing any person to be photographed except by a 
Magistrate of the first class:  
Provided further, that no order shall be made under this section unless the person has at some 
time been arrested in connection with such investigation or proceeding.  
6. Resistance to the taking of measurements, etc. ___(1) If any person who under this Act is 
required to allow his measurements or photograph to be taken resists or refuses to allow the taking of 
the same, it shall be lawful to use all means necessary to secure the taking thereof.  
(2) Resistance to or refusal to allow the taking of measurements or photographs under 
this Act shall be deemed to be an offence under section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV 
of 1860).  
7. Destruction of photographs and records of measurements, etc., on acquittal. Where any 
person who, not having been previously convicted of an offence punishable with rigorous 
imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards, has had his measurements taken or has been 
photographed in accordance with the provisions of this Act is released without trial or discharged or 
acquitted by any Court, all measurements and all photographs (both negatives and copies) so taken 
shall, unless the Court or (in a case where such person is released without trial) the District Magistrate 
or Sub-Divisional Officer 3for reasons to be recorded in writing otherwise directs, be destroyed or 
made over to him.  
8. Power to make rules.___ (1) The 4[Provincial Government] may make rules for the purpose 
of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.  
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, such rules 
may provide for-  
(a)  restrictions on the taking of photographs of persons under section 5;  
(b)  the places at which measurements and photographs may be taken;  
 
1In the application of the Act to the Province of Sind, a different section has been subs. for this section by the Identification of Prisoners (Bombay Amdt.) 
Act, 1935 (Bom. 4 of 1935), s. 2, and further amended by Bom. Act 21 of 1935, s. 3.  
2In the application of the Act to the Province of Sind, certain words have been ins. here by the Identification of Prisoners ( Bombay Amdt.) Act, 1922 
(Bom. 11 of 1922), s. 3.  
3In the application of the Act to Bombay, certain words have been ins. here by the Identification of Prisoners (Bombay Amdt.) Act, 1922 (Bom. 1 of 
1922), s. 4.  
4Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “L.G.”.  
 
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 (c)  the nature of the measurements that may be taken;  
(d)  the method in which any class or classes of measurements shall be taken;  
(e)  the dress to be worn by a person when being photographed under section 3 ; and  
(f)  the preservation, safe custody, destruction and dispo sal of records of 
measurements and photographs.  
9. Bar of suits. No suit or other proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done, or 
intended to be done, in good faith under this Act or under any rule made thereunder.  
______________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: 11-09-2024