Who is empowered to arrest vagabonds or habitual robbers under Section 55?

Section 55 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1898 empowers the in-charge of a police station to arrest vagabonds and habitual robbers without a warrant. Vagabonds are individuals who wander without lawful means of support, while habitual robbers are those who repeatedly commit theft or robbery. These persons pose a risk to public safety and law and order, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further offences.

By empowering the police station in-charge, the law ensures quick intervention to protect the community and maintain security. The provision allows the officer to detain these individuals and take necessary measures to prevent them from committing further crimes. This authority is restricted to the in-charge, meaning the senior officer of the station, to ensure that arrests are made responsibly and legally.

After the arrest, the accused must be presented before the Magistrate and due legal procedures followed. This balances public safety with protection of individual rights, ensuring that arrests are lawful and documented properly. Section 55 reflects the preventive aspect of criminal law, aiming to reduce crime by removing habitual offenders and vagrants from public spaces and subjecting them to legal supervision.

Key Facts:

• Relevant Law: Section 55 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1898


• Who Can Arrest: In-charge of a police station


• Purpose: Arrest vagabonds and habitual robbers to maintain public safety


• Scope: Applies to habitual offenders and persons wandering without lawful means


• Procedure: Arrest → Produce before Magistrate → Follow due legal process


• Significance: Preventive measure to maintain law and order


• Authority Limitation: Restricted to police station in-charge to ensure accountability