Mumbai Police has taken proactive measures following intelligence warnings of potential terror strikes aimed at high-profile individuals, instituting Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure from December 20 to January 18, 2024.
This directive prohibits gatherings of four or more individuals and comes into effect just ahead of the festive season encompassing Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Despite this, Dolphy D’Souza from the Bombay Catholic Sabha reassured that the order wouldn’t disrupt the Christmas celebrations.
Outlined Restrictions:
- The stringent measures under Section 144 encompass a ban on the operation of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, para motors, hand gliders, and hot air balloons over the city for 30 days.
- The only exceptions for deploying such aerial objects would be for police-led aerial surveillance or upon specific written authorization by the deputy commissioner of police (operations).
- Mumbai Police emphasized that the prohibition, spanning from December 20, 2023, to January 18, 2024, is enacted under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
- The order underscores concerns that terrorist factions and anti-national elements might exploit drones, paragliders, etc., for potential attacks, specifically targeting high-profile figures and endangering public safety.
- Law enforcement further reiterated that the preemptive measures are necessitated due to the potential misuse of drones, remote-controlled micro-light aircraft, para-gliders, etc., by such groups.
- Highlighting the possible threats, police emphasized the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to terrorist activities, which could pose risks to public safety, damage public property, and disrupt law and order in the city.
- Mumbai Police warned that individuals found violating the order would face penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Understanding Section 144:
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 empowers Executive Magistrates in any state or territory to prohibit gatherings of four or more people in specific areas. This legal provision grants authority to district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates, or other executive magistrates authorized by the state government to issue orders in cases of imminent danger or public nuisance. The law stipulates that each member of such an "unlawful assembly" can be charged for engaging in riotous behaviour. For this provision to apply, the emergency must arise suddenly, and the potential consequences must be significantly grave.
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