Section 55: Dispersal of gangs and bodies of persons.

II. Dispersal of Gangs and Removal of Persons convicted of certain offences [and of certain beggar].

55. Dispersal of gangs and bodies of persons.- Whenever it shall appear in [Brihan Mumbai] and in other areas in which Commissioner is appointed under section 7 to the Commissioner and in a district to the District Magistrate, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or the [Superintendent] * * * empowered by the State Government in that behalf, that the movement or encampment of any gang or body of persons in the area in his charge is causing or is calculated to cause danger or alarm or reasonable suspicion that unlawful designs are entertained by such gang or body or by members thereof, such officer may, by notification addressed to the persons appearing to be the leaders or chief men of such gang or body and published by beat of drum or otherwise as such officer thinks fit, direct the members of such gang or body so to conduct themselves as shall seem necessary in order to prevent violence and alarm or disperse and each of them to remove himself outside the area within the local limits of his jurisdiction [or such area and any district or districts, or any part thereof, contiguous thereto] within such time as such officer shall prescribe, and not to enter to area [or the areas and such contiguous districts, or part thereof, as the case may be,] or return to the place from which each of them was directed to remove himself.