Section 14 of ITPA : Section 14: Offences To Be Cognizable

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a local police unit receives a tip about a suspected brothel operating in their jurisdiction, which is a punishable offence under The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. To take immediate action, the special police officer in charge decides to conduct a raid. As per Section 14 of the Act:

The special police officer, without needing to obtain a warrant, directs a team to arrest the individuals involved. He provides written orders specifying the persons to be arrested and the offences they are suspected of committing. The officers, before making the arrests, inform the suspects about the orders and, if requested, show them the written authorization.

In a situation where the special police officer is not present, and there's a risk that evidence might be destroyed or suspects might flee, a sub-inspector who has been specially authorized can arrest the suspects without waiting for written orders. However, this sub-inspector must immediately report the arrest and the situation to the special police officer.

This section allows for swift action to be taken to prevent the continuation of activities related to the trafficking of individuals for immoral purposes, ensuring that law enforcement officers can intervene effectively to protect victims and preserve evidence.