Section 20 in The Tamil Nadu District Police Act, 1859
20. Unlawful assumption of Police functions, personation of Police, etc.—
From and after the passing of this Act , every person not being or having ceased to be, a duly enrolled Police Officer, who shall unlawfully assume any function or power belonging to the Police, and who shall not forthwith deliver up his certificate, and all the clothing, accoutrements and appointments, and other necessaries which may have been supplied to him for the execution of his duty, or who shall have in his possession any distinctive article of the dress or accoutrement directed to be worn exclusively by the Police force, without being able to account satisfactorily for his possession thereof, or who shall put on the dress of any Police Officer, or and dress designed to represent it, or to be taken for it, or who shall otherwise personate the character or act the part of any Police Officer for any purpose whatever, shall, in addition to any other punishment to which he may be liable for an offence committed under the assumed character, be liable on conviction before a Magistrate to a penalty not exceeding two hundred rupees, or to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for a period not exceeding six months or both.
