Section 118 in The Dramatic Performances Act, 1876
118.
Statement of Objects and Reasons.-The primary object of this Bill is to empower the Government to prohibit Native plays which are scandalous, defamatory, seditious or obscene. The necessity for some such measure has been established by the recent performance in Lalcutta of a scurrilous Bengali drama, to prevent which the existing law was found to be insufficient.The Bill, first, empowers in this behalf, to issue an order prohibiting any dramatic performance which, in the opinion of the Government, comes within any of the clauses abovementioned. The order may be served on intending performers or on the owners of the place in which the play takes place. The order may also be notified by proclamation, and penalties are provided for disobedience thereto.Power is then given to the Magistrates to grant warrants to the police to enter, arrest, and seize scenery, dresses, etc.Lastly, the Local Government is empowered to order, in specified localities, that-no play shall be performed in any place of public entertainment, except under a license from Government, and that a copyof the piece, if written, or a sufficient account of its purport, if it be in pantomime, shall be previously furnished to the proper authorities.An Act for the better control of public dramatic performances .Preamble .Whereas it is expedient to empower the Government to prohibit public dramatic performances which are scandalous, defamatory, seditious or obscene; It is hereby enacted as follows:-
