(1) If the District Magistrate has reason to believe that an objectionable performance is about to take place, he may, by order, direct that no such performance shall take place in any public place in his district, unless a copy of the piece, if and so far as it is written, or some sufficient account of its purport, if and so far as it is in pantomime, has been furnished, not less than seven days before the performance to the District Magistrate.
(2) A copy of any order made under sub-section (1) may be served on the owner or occupier of the public place in which such performance is intended to take place, and if thereafter he does or willingly permits, any act in disobedience of such order, he shall, on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Power to call for information.
Power to call for copy of purport of drama etc.
1[9-A. Entry and Inspection.- (1) Any officer authorised by the District Magistrate in this behalf may enter any public place, within the area of jurisdiction of such District Magistrate, where any play, pantomime or other drama is being performed, for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of performance.
(2) If any person prevents or obstructs the entry of any officer so authorised, he shall, on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.]
10. Any person aggrieved by an order made under section 3 or section 4 may, within sixty days of the publication of such order, in the official Gazette under subsection (3) of section 3 or, as the case may be, within sixty days of the date on which an order under section 4 is made, prefer an appeal to the State Government or an officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government by notification, and upon such appeal the appellate authority may pass such orders as it deems fit confirming, varying or reversing the order appealed against, and may pass such consequential or incidental orders as may be necessary.
11. Where no order under section 3 or section 4 has been made in respect of any performance, nothing in this Act shall bar a prosecution under the Indian Penal Code (Central Act XLV of 1860) or any other law for the time being in force.
12. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any authority or officer for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any rule made thereunder.