Ordinance Summary

• The Kerala Police (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on November 20, 2020.  The Ordinance amends the Kerala Police Act, 2011.  The Act regulates the powers and duties of the police force in the state of Kerala.  The Ordinance provides for punishment for offences related to threat, humiliation or defamation. 
   
• Punishment for threat, abuse, humiliation, and defamation: The Ordinance provides for punishment for making, expressing, publishing or  disseminating any matter which is threatening, abusive, humiliating, or defamatory to a person or class of persons.  This includes a deliberate attempt (through any mode of communication) to cause injury to the mind, reputation, or property of such person or class of persons.  Such an offence will be punishable with imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both.  It will be cognisable and bailable.  

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