STATE OF RAJASTHAN Vs. THAKUR PRATAP SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal raises for consideration the constitutional validity of one paragraph of a notification issued by the State of Rajasthan under S. 15 of the Police Act (Central Act V of 1861) under which "the Harijan" and "Muslim" inhabitants of the villages, in which an additional police force was stationed, were exempted from the obligation to bear any portion of the cost of that force.

(2.) It is stated that the inhabitants of certain villages in the district of Jhunjhunu in the State of Rajasthan, harboured dacoits and receivers of stolen property, and were besides creating trouble between landlords and tenants as a result of which there were serious riots in the locality in the course of which some persons lost their lives. The State Government therefore took action under S. 15 of the Police Act. This Section provides:

(3.) The notification by which these provisions were invoked and which is impugned in these proceedings was in these terms:-