150. Persons to be placed under surveillance. (Section 3, Bengal Act II of 1866) (Section 9, Bengal Act IV of 1866). - (a) It is impossible to define with absolute precision the class of persons to be placed under surveillance and much discretion must be left to the Divisional Deputy Commissioners. They should remember that, although surveillance is to be exercised by the constables the efficiency of the surveillance will depend largely on the supervision maintained by the station staff, and the number of surveilles should be limited to what the staff is able to supervise effectively. The list of persons, under surveillance should, therefore, be confined to the narrowest possible limits. It may, however, be laid down that all persons addicted to the following classes of crime shall ordinarily be placed under surveillance, namely :-
(i)persons who have at any time during the past three years, been convicted of dacoity, burglary, theft, robbery, drugging, counterfeiting, murder for gain or bad livelihood,(ii)suspects - Persons who are known or suspected to have been concerned in any of the above offences during the same period, or who are, or are believed to be, professional, habitual or notorious cattle-lifters or burglars, thieves, receivers of stolen property, harbourers or abettors of thieves or to belong to any criminal gang.(b)No person falling under item (ii) of clause (a) shall be placed under surveillance unless a history sheet has been opened, and the orders of the Divisional Deputy Commissioner obtained. In the case of persons falling under item (i) of clause (a), the Station Officer shall, from time to time, as opportunity occurs, institute enquiries with a view to ascertaining whether the ex-convict is living an honest life, or has reverted to criminal habits.Note. - Persons who are convicted or are reasonably suspected of opium or cocaine smuggling should be placed under surveillance.
