LAW AND
ORDER AND JUSTICE
(a)
Incidence of Crime
in the District
The
characteristics of the inhabitants of the Patiala District are almost akin to
that of their counterparts residing in Sangrur, Bathinda and Ludhiana
districts. The crime statistics for the years 1976-1989 showed an upward trend upto
1988. There were 3,713 criminal cases registered in 1976 and 3,157 in 1988 in
the district. The number, however, increased to 4,223 in 1989. The number of
murders went up from 38 in 1976 to 88 in 1989. There was no case of dacoity and
traffic in women in the district during 1976 to 1988. But in 1989, 5 cases of
dacoity were registered. No case of rioting was reported in the district during
the years 1982, 1985 and 1987 to 1989. The number of cattle lifting cases
decreased during 1976-1989. Only one such case was reported during 1982, 1984
and 1986 to 1988. The incidence of crime under Local and Special Laws showed a
mixed trend. It was, 1,435 in 1979, 1,044 in 1982, 999 in 1986 and 978 in 1989.
The
trend of various crimes in the district during 1976 to 1989 is shown in the
following statement:--
The
important categories of crimes are described as under :
Murder.—The important motives behind murder are usually
traditiona, that is illicit sexual relations, domestic quarrels, blood fueds,
land disputes, lure of property, canal water disputes, personal enmity and
party factions. Fortuidous crime is sometimes committed over minor and trifling
issues in a sudden outburst of anger. There was fluctuation in the incidence of
this crime in the district during 1976 to 1989, the minimum number of such
cases being 36 in 1981 and maximum 92 in 1988.
Dacoity.—No case of dacoity was reported in the district during
1976 to 1986, but five cases were reported in 1989.
Robbery.—Robbery may be described as an eaggravated form of theft
or extortion. There were 9 cases of robbery reported in the district during
1989.
Buglary.—It is an act of breaking into a house to commit theft or
felony. This crime is very common both in the urban and rural areas of the
district. There was much fluctuation in the incidence of this crime in the
district during 1976 to 1989, the minimum being 76 in 1983 and the maximum
being 182 in 1978. There were 174 cases of burgalary in the district during
1939.
Rioting.—Rioting takes place when an unlawful assembly of persons
resorts to violent means which lead to arson and looting. No case of rioting
was registered in the district during 1987-1989.
Theft.—The incidence or ordinary theft has drawn an upward trend
in the district and mostly the increase has been reported from the urban areas
of the district. Thefts in the rural areas take place in small numbers, because
the village abadis are small and the inhabitants know one another. There
was much fluctuation in the incidence of this crime in the district during
1976-89, the minimum number of cases being 177 in 1985 and maximum376 in 1977.
There were 301 cases of theft reported in the district during 1989.
Cattle Lifting.—This crime is mostly prevalent in the rural
areas and its incidence has shown an downward trend. There was much fluctuation
in the incidence of this crime in the district during 1976 to 1989, the minimum
being 1 in 1988 and maximum being 20 in 1978.
Cheating.—Cheating means a willful misrepresetation of a definite
fact with intention to defraud. The incidence of this crime fluctuated between
21(1985)and 40(1988).
Offences under Local and Special Laws.—Under this
head, the crimes include cases of public nuisance and those of under the Indian
Arms Act, 1878, the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, the Opium Act, 1878, the Public
Gambling Act, 1867; the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Indian Railways
Act, 1890 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 11947. There has been much
fluctuation in the number of crimes under this head during 1976 to 1989, the minimum
being 978 in 1988 and maximum 1,435 in 1979.
Incidence of Motor Vehicle Accidents.—With the expansion of
vehicular traffic, incidence of road accidents in the district has been on the
increase. There were road accidents reported in the district during 1988 as
against 113 reported in 1978.
Road Traffic.—Besides, the Indian Motor Vehicles Act,
1939, the Indian Penal Code, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1914 and the Municipal
Bye-Laws, the Stage Carriage Act, 1861 : the Police Act, 1888; the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890; the Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1925;
and the Hackney Carriage Act, 1879, regulate the road traffic. The prosecutions
launched in the district under the above laws, during 1976 to 1989, are given
in the following statement:-
(a) History and Organisation of Police
The
present district of Patiala takes it geographical shape by amalgamation of
various territories of erstwhile princely states of Patiala, Kalsia, Nabha and
a few villages of then forming part of British territory. Hence the police
system of the district before the formation of Patiala and East Punjab States
Union (PEPSU) in 1956 was identical to that prevailing in the Patiala, Kalsia
and Nabha princely states. However, in 1948 when the district was merged with
PEPSU, it came under the system of police administration as prevailed in the
Patiala Princely State.
The
thana has always been the unit of police administration in the State.
But, formerly the thanadars possessed judicial powers also. They were
mostly illiterate men and each had an amin under him to carry on
clerical work and to act for him generally in his absence. Outlaying posts at
the distrance from a thana were under Ziladars, who were selected
from amongst the constables or chormars and Chowkidars as they were then
called. Till the reign of Maharaja Karam Singh, these thana functionaries were
under the direct orders of the adalati in all police and judicial matters.
Maharaja Narinder Singh divided the State into four districts and placed each
under an officer called Naib-i-adalat. The thanadars were placed under
the immediate control of these officers and as the clerical work in thanas had
by this time increased, an assistant clerk or madad-muharrir was added to their
establishment. In 1861, the office of naib-I-adalat was abolished and that of
nazim created instead. At the same time, Tahsildars were given magisterial
powers authorized to pass sentences of imprisonment upto 3 years, and named
naib-nazims in their judicial capacity. The nazims were made Sessions Judges,
and their courts findings were made Sessions Judges, and their courts findings
were made appellate courts for the decisions of appeals from the findings of
the naib-nazims. In 1870, Maharaja Mohinder Singh found that judicial work was
interfering with the tahsildars’ legitimate duties connected with revenue and
finance, and he appointed separate officers as
as naib-nazims to carry on that work. The thana functionaries
were then placed under naib-nazims, the nazim and the hakim-I-adalati
sadar (commonly called the adalati) still continuing to be the chief
of them all. This system remained in force till 1882.
In
1882, the Council of Regency organized the police department on the British
model. District Superintendents of Police were appointed at salaries ranging
from Rs 80 to 100 a month. The munshis and sepoys were called sergeants and
constables, while inspectors and court inspectors were appointed in every
district. A Police Code was issued, closely modeled on the Code of Criminal
Procedure and British Indian Criminal law became the Law of the State. The
final step was the appointment in sambat 1942 (A D 1885) of an Inspector
General of Police with an adequate headquarters staff. All departmental powers,
formerly vested in the magistrates and nazims were then transferred to
the Inspector-General and District Superintendents. Many improvements were
carried out by Mr. J.P. Warburton, who was appointed Inspector-General of
Police by late Maharaja Rajinder Singh.
The
above mentioned system of Police continued till PEPSU was formed in 1948, with
headquarters at Patiala. Patiala was one of the districts of PEPSU. The
district was governed by the Superintendent of Police who was under the control
of the Inspector General of PEPSU. With the merger of PEPSU with Punjab in
1956, the police system in Patiala District became indentical to that of the
Punjab.
On
the merger of PEPSU with Punjab, Patiala, became district headquarters of
Punjab. For police administration, it was put under the control of Deputy
Inspector General of Police, Patiala Range, Patiala. At the district level, the
head of the police force is the Senior Superintendent of Police who works under
the general guidance and supervision of the District Magistate. The Senior Superintendent
of Police is assisted by 2 Superintendents of Police, 8 Deputy Superintendents
of Police, 16 Inspectors, 46 Sub Inspectors, 136 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 424
Head Constables and 1,799 Constables.
(Source
: Snior Superintendent of Police, Patiala)
Civil Police.—At the district level, Senior
Superintendent of Police, Patiala heads the civil police force. There are 23
police stations and 12 police posts in the district. Each police station is
under the charge of a Station House Officer, who is entrusted with the task of
maintaining peace and to investigate offences committed in the area under the
jurisdiction of his police station. In the discharge of his duties, he is
assisted by an Assistant Sub-Inspector(s), a Head Constable, a Moharrir and a number
of Constables.
Vigilance Police.—The Vigilance Bureau has been functioning
in the State since December 1959. But the present nomenclature was adopted,
w.e.f. 14 August 1972. The main functions of the Vigilance Bureau are : to
collect intelligence regarding corruption and corrupt public servants; to
conduct enquiries into complaints of corruption against public servants; to
conduct investigation of criminal cases involving corruption on the part of
public servants; to assist the prosecution of cases against the defaulter
public servants before the enquiry officer or in courts; to conduct raids to
catch corrupt Government servants red-handed while accepting bribe; to submit
information data and reports to Government regarding corruption and corrupt
Government Servants; to suggest measures to check the scope of corruption in
various departments and to keep watch over the progress of Departmental
proceedings on charges of corruption against public servants entrusted to other
Department.
However,
the Vigilance Department is not empowered to conduct enquiries against
Ministers, Presiding Officers of Vidhan Sabha, Judges of High Court and Members
of the Judicial Services. There are two Vigilance Bureau Units functioning in
the Patiala District at the district headquarters. As on 31 march 1989, the
staff consisted of 1 Deputy Superintendent of Police, 3 Inspectors, 1
Sub-Inspector, 1 Assistant Sub-Inspector, 1 head Constable and 10 Constables.
Besides this Unit, a Flying Squad Vigilance Unit is also functioning at Patiala
which covers the districts of Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Rupnagar. The
Superintendent of Police, Patiala is also in charge of Vigilance Bureau,
Patiala Range, Patiala. The sanctioned strength of Patiala Range, Patiala
consists of 1 Superintendent of police, 2 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 6
Inspectors, 1 Sub-Inspector, 1 Assistant Sub-Inspector, 4 head Constables and
14 Constables.
Railway Police.—Railway Police is a part of the State
Organization, but it works under the Assistant Inspector General, Government
Railway Police, Punjab, with its headquarters at Patiala. It is not allotted to
any district in particular. The circles of the Railway Police are formed
according to the sections of the railway lines in which they control crime
committed in railway trains and within the railway premises.
The
main functions of the railway police are: to protect travelers from injury to
person or loss to property; to maintain law and order at railway stations and in
trains; to bring to the notice of the proper authorities all offences under
Railway Act and breaches of bye-laws, and al cases of fraud oppression, etc. on
the part of the railway officials; to keep railway platform clear of idlers and
beggars and to keep a watch over suspicious persons, traveling with arms
without licences; to search all empty carriages for property left behind by
passengers; to control the hackney carriages plying for hire at railway
stations and enforces the regulation of railway passengers entering railway
stations on occasions of fairs, festivals, etc. Besides, the railway police
patrols all passenger trains and provides escorts to important night trains.
There
are 20 railway stations in the Patiala District and total area of 158 km railway
line is being looked after by the government Railway Police. The total strength
of Government Railway Police as on 31 March 1989 in the Patiala District
included 1 Deputy Inspector-General, 1 Assistant Inspector General, 4 Deputy
Superitendents of Police, 6 Inspectors, 33 Sub-Inspectors, 50 Assistant
Sub-Inspectors, 249 Head Constables and 1,163 Constables.
Punjab Armed Police.—Besides Civil Police, Punjab Armed Police
also helps in the maintenance of law and order in the district. The personnel
of Punjab Armed Police are posted at strategic points, such as bridges, etc.
for security purposes. The main functions/duties of the Punjab Armed Police are
: to protect rail or road bridges; to provide security to the VIP’s of senior
officers; to assist and protect the cash and staff of the Excise and Taxation
Department at the check barriers. The total strength of Punjab Armed Police in
the district during 1988-89 consisted of 1 Commandant, 3 Assistant Commandants,
7 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 8 Inspectors, 21 Sub-Inspectors, 18
Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 138 Head Constables and 652 Constables.
Excise Police Staff.—These officials are posted with the Excise
and Taxation Officer/Officials.
Village Police.—The Chowkidar is at the lowest rung of the
police organization. He helps the village Sarpanch in the maintenance of law
and order. The village watchman helps in the detection of crimes. It is his
duty to report the occurrence of any crime in the village to the concerned
authorities.
Punjab Home Guards.—The Home Guards Organization came into
existence in Juanary 1960 at the district level. The set up of Home Guards is
divided into two wings, viz. rural wing and urban wing. In the rural wing,
people from rural areas are enrolled at the rate of one company of 99 guards
per community development block. In the Patiala District, there are 11 rural
companies with the total strength of 1,075 gurads. In the urban wing, one
company of Home Guard is raised after over 25,000 persons. There are 9 urban
companies in the district (6 in Patiala City, 2 in Nabha and 1 at Rajpura). The
total strength of Urban Home Guards in the district as on 31 March 1989 was 880
(including 76 women).
The
Punjab Home Guards at Patiala has 1 District Commander, who is assisted by 5
Company Commanders, 6 Platoon Commanders, 9 Havaldar Instructors, 7 Corporal
Instructors, 1 Sergeant Armour, besides,
other Class III and Class IV staff. The main functions and activities of
the Home Guards are : to serve as an auxiliary to the police and to help in
maintaining internal security for the community in every kind of emergency.
E.g. an air raid, fire, flood, an epidemic, etc. It also guards various
strategic points such as railway lines, power stations, etc. in the district,
as and when required.
There
are a Central Jail (Suhar Ghar) at the district headquarters, a District
Jail (Sudhar Ghar) at Nabha, an open Jail at Nabha and a Sub-Jail (Up Sudhar
Ghar) at Bassi Pathana in the district. (Up Sudhar Ghar) at Bassi Pathana in
the district. Besides, there are lock-ups attached to each police station,
which are controlled by the Police Department.
Central Jai, Patiala.—It is located on Patiala-Nabha road. It
came into existence before 1930 when Patiala was a Princely State. With the merger
of PEPSU in Punjab in 1956, it came under the administrative control of the
Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab. The Central Jail, Patiala is under the
charge of the Superintendent of Jails, who is assisted by 1 Deputy
Superintendent Grade-I, 1 Deputy Superintendent Grade-II, 9 Assistant
Superintendents Welfare Officers, 2 Medical Officers, 1 Office Superintendent,
1 Accountant, 15 Head Warders, 123 Warders/Matrons, 1 Armourer, 16 Technical
Instructors, 1 Teacher and other allied staff.
District
Jail (Sudhar Ghar), Nabha.—District Jail, Nabha came into existence in about
1923. It is under the control of the Superintendent, Jail, who is assisted by 1
Deputy Superintended, 4 Assistant Superintendents, 1 Medical Officer, 1
Teacher, 3 Head Warders, 34 Warders, 36 Temporary Warders, 1 Matron, 1
Accountant and other allied staff.
The
total admissions during the year, average daily population and maximum
population on any one day in a year in the District Jail, Nabha during 1976 to
1989 are given in the following table:--
(Source
: Superitendent, District Jail, Nabha and Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab,
Chandigarh)
The
number of convicted prisoners released on different grounds such as
parole/furlough,bail, transfer remission, etc. during 1976 to 1989 is given
below:
(Source
: Superitendent, District Jail, Nabha and Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab,
Chandigarh)
Sub-Jail
or Up Sudhar Ghar, Bassi Pathana.—The Sub-Jail, Bassi Pathana functions under
the supervision and control of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bassi Pathana.
The total admissions, average daily population and maximum population on any
one day ion the Up sudhar Ghar Bassi Pathana during 1976 to 1989 is given
below:
(Source
: Superitendent, Sub-Jail, Bassi Pathana and Inspector General of Prisons,
Punjab, Chandigarh)
The
total number of prisoners released on different grounds from the Up Sudhar Ghar
Bassi Pathana during 1976 to 1989 is given in the following table:-
(Source
: Superitendent, Sub-Jail, Bassi Pathana and Inspector General of Prisons,
Punjab, Chandigarh)
Open Air Jail, Nabha. – The Open Air Jail, Nabha started functioning
in November 1970. This is the only institution of its kind in the State. It was
set up with the idea of reformation and rehabilitation of the prisoners so that
they may become good citizens after their release. The convicts of this jail
are provided with the environment and living conditions like those prevailing
in the villages in the villages in the State. The prisoners work in the fields
freely. The Open Air Jail, Nabha is functioning under the control of the
Superintendent, Jail, who is assisted by 2 Assistants, 1 teacher, 1 Pharmacist,
besides, other miscellaneous staff.
The
canteen for the inmates is functioning in this jail from its inception.
Panchayat system is also working in the jail. Festivals and other important
days are celebrated in this jail with the help of the panchayat. The panchayat
also helps in the functioning of jail canteen and in organizing other
recreational and sports activities. A Government teacher is also posted in the
jail who takes classes of the prisoners.
Educational, Recreational and Medical Facilities
The
prisoners are being provided all facilities for improving their educational
qualifications up to university level inside the Central Jail, Patiala and
District Jail, Nabha. These jails also provide facilities for learning 3 R’s.
There is one J B T teacher each at central Jail, Patiala and District Jail,
Nabha under audult Literacy Scheme. Beside, more teachers from amongst the
convicts are also appointed, if required.
In
the field of recreational activities, two T V sets have been provided inside
the Central Jail, Patiala to show films dramas, etc. to the inmates. Besides,
books, periodicals and daily newspapers are also supplied to the prisoners at
the Government expenses. The prisoners at associated in indoor and outdoor
games such as football, volleyball, playing cards, chess, etc. which have been
provided out of the prisoners welfare fund.
To
look after the health of jail inmates, two Medical Officers and two Pharmacists
have been posted. A 48 beded hospital and a T B ward is running inside the
Central Jail, Patiala. Serious and emergent cases are referred to Rajindra
Hospital, Patiala for specialized treatment and medicines are provided at the
Government expenses.
A
prisoners-co-operative canteen is working in the Jail. It is run by the
convicts under the supervision of the Welfare Officer. Artcles like stationery,
eatables, fruits, drinks and soap, etc. are sold at 10 per cent profit. The
profit earned from the canteen is utilized for celebration of national and
other festivals and cultural activities like dramas, symposiums, etc.
Panchayat System
A
panchayat of the prisoners is functioning is each at the Central Jail, Patiala
and Open Air Jail, Nabha. These have proved helpful in running the panchayats
are elected by the prisoners who in turn look after the welfare of the
prisoners.
Jail Industries
In
the Central Jail, Patiala, jail industries have been organized for training to
the prisoners in different trades, such as carpentry, textile, poultry,
tailoring, printing press, carpets, durries leather work, tents, etc. Every
prisoner is required to do his assigned work.
Textile
is the main trade in the industry of this jails. Special type of durries and
carpets are also prepared. There is separate trained technical staff for
providing training to the prisoners in different trades.
There
is one Deputy Superintendent Factory, who supervises factory affairs and for
his assistance one Assistant Factory Supervisor is provided. To run the work
smoothly, clerical staff has also been provided. Generally, the articles
manufactured in the factory are supplied to Government departments.
Official and Non-Officer Visitors
The
visits of official and non-official visitors to the jails are regulated under
the Punjab Jail Manual. These are helpful to the inmates as well as jail
authorities. The non-official visitors visit the jail to provide a community
touch to the inmates. The prisoners feel that they have not been forgotten by
the society. Similarly, the prisoners are also benefited by the official
visitors as they personally take notice of the prison Act, 1894 and all rules,
regulations orders and directions made or issued there under are fully observed
by the prison management or not.
District Crime Prevention Society, Patiala.–
The Crime Prevention Society was re-started with effect from 1 January 1980 for
the welfare of prisoners under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner,
Patiala. The office of the District Probation Officer, Patiala was opened on 10
May 1966.
The
Probation of Offenders’ Act, 1958 is a reformative measure for the juvenile
offenders (below the age of 21 years) and for first offenders irrespective of
their age to save them from the confines
of the jail. The Act provides for the release of offenders on bail after
entering into a bond with one surety for an amount considered sufficient and
for a period up to three years, as desired by the court, keeping in view the
degree of crime. The Act does not cover those offenders who have committed an
offence for which they can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
Whenever, a juvenile or first offender is brought before the court with some
charges for which the benefit of Probation of Offenders’ Act can be given to
the offender and as soon as the challan is put up by the police in the court,
the latter asks for pre-sentence report from the District Probation Officer.
The District Probation Officer enquires about the offenders’ character,
antecedents, socio-economic and environmental background and other particulars
which the court directs him to enquire. Keeping in view the intensity of the
crime and the report submitted by the District Probation Officer, the offender
is released on probation with or without supervision.
Those
offenders who are released on conditional supervision are kept under the
supervision of the District Probation Officer who acts as a friend, philosopher
and guide to all the probationers. He looks into their personal problems and
tries to solve them. He impresses upon them through personal advice, persuation
and warning, the necessity for keeping good conduct during probation. The
District Probation Officer also tries to improve the behaviour, attitude,
habits, character and moral of the probationers so that they may not revert to
crime. All this is done by arranging meeting with the probationers in their
villages and in the office of the Probation Officer. The District Probation
Officer makes enquiries about the character and behaviour of the probationer
from respectable persons of the villages like Sarpanch, panchayat member,
Lambardar, etc.
(d) Organisation of Civil and
Criminal Courts
Historical Restrospect
Before
the time of Maharaja karam Singh, the administrative and judicial work of the
Patiala State was in the hands of the thanadars (faujdars of the Ain-i-Akbari),
the collectors at revenue (ugraha) being under them. There was no treasury and
no court. In each paragana, there was a thanadar, and in Suman (now in Sangrur
District) and Patiala proper there were kotwals. Their Claims and offences, of
whatever nature were disposed of after verbal enquiry . No record of orders
were given by word of mouth. The people acquiesced in the decisions and seldom
appealed to the Diwan or Wazir . There was no law in force, the customs and
usages of the country were followed in deciding cases, and had the force of
law. The panchayat system was generally in vogue, and boundary disputer
specially were referred to arbitration. The administering of oaths (nem) to the
litigants was a great factor in bringing cases to an amicable settlement. The
offenders were generally friend, but habitual and grave offenders were
imprisoned without any fixed term of years and were released at the pleasure of
the presiding officer. In murder case, the offender’s relations were ordered to
pay the price of blood to the heirs of the deceased by offering either a nata
(female relative in marriage) or some culturable land or heirs cash, and thus
to bring about an amicable settlement of the case, otherwise the perpetrator
was hanged generally on a kiker tree, in some conspicuous place where the
corpse was left hanging for many days. Barbarous punishment, such as maiming
and multilation, were in force to some extent. Sometimes the face, hands feet
of an offender were blackened and he was proclaimed by beat of drum, mounted on
a donkey through the streets of the city.
Maharaja
karam Singh began the work of reform by appointing an Adalati (Judicial
Minister), but no line of demarcation was drawn between his powers and those of
the thanadars. Orders in criminal cases were still given verbally, but in civil
cases files were made and judgements written. Cases of proprietorship in land
were decided by the Adalati, through they were transferred subsequently to the
Diwan. During the time of Maharaja Narinder Singh five nizamats were marked off
and nazims appointed to each, One tahsil comprised two thanas and sixteen
tahsildars were appointed, who in addition to their revenue work, dealt with
criminal and civil cases. Maharaja Narinder Singh introduced a Manual of
Criminal Law,” The law of Sambat 1916,”for the guidance of criminal courts. In
most respects, it was similar to the Indian Penal Code. In the reign of
Maharaja Mohinder Singh, Tahsildars were deprived of their judicial and
criminal powers and two naib-nazims were appinted in each nizamat to decide
civil and sriminal cases and superintend the police. A code of Civil procedure,
compiled from the British Indian Act VII of 1859 and Act XXIII of 1861 with
suitable modifications, was introduced, which continued till the state become a
part of the PEPSU.
On
the formation of PEPSU, the High Court was completely overhauled and a Chief
Justice was appointed. He brought in a high state of efficiency by pruning away
unqualified and dishonest officers and laying
down a rigid code of behaviour for the judicial officers.
The
judiciary in the Patiala District is headed by a District and Sessions Judge,
with 5 Additional District and Sessions Judges at the district headquartes. He
superintends both criminal and civil judicial work in the district. A Chief
judicial Magistrate assists the District and Sessions Judge on the criminal
side and a Senior Subordinate Judge and an Additional Senior Subordinate Judge
work under him on the civil side. At the District headquarters, the civil and
criminal cases are disposed of by the Chief Judicial Magistrate and Senior
Subordinate Judge. Similarly, at the tahsil level, there are judicial officers
who dispose of civil and criminal cases. The civil cases are directly instituted
in the courts at the tahsil headquarters, while in regard to criminal cases,
various police stations are allotted to different judicial officers who deal
with the cases of those police stations allotted to their jurisdiction.