BIMAN CHANDRA PACHANI Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS matter has come up before this Full Bench on a reference by me while sitting singly in disposing of the revision application.

(2.) THE accused was convicted under Section 12 read with Section 3 of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (Act XXV of 1867) hereinafter called 'the Act' and fined Rs. 500/ -, in default three months' simple imprisonment.

(3.) THE Act was first made in the year 1867 and it repealed an earlier Act XI of 1835. This Act at the earliest stage was promulgated with the sole object of informing the ruling race, namely the Britishers who ruled us for quite a number of years, about the various writings and thoughts revealed in those writings in the various literatures of the country. Later on, however, this Act has undergone series of amendments and Section 3, as it reads now, is in the following terms: