The Identification of Prisoners (Application to Hyderabad) Act, 1956.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS (APPLICATION TO 
HYDERABAD) ACT, 1956. 

(ACT NO. XXVII OF 1956.) 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

Sections 

1. Short title, extent and commencement. 

2. Application of Central Act 33 of 1920 to Hyderabad. 

3. Repeal of Hyderabad Act VII of 1309 Fasli. 

 Schedule. 

 ANNEXURE 

1. Short title and extent. 

2. Definitions. 

3. Taking of measurements, etc., of convicted 
person. 

4. Taking of measurements, etc., of non-convicted 
person. 

5. Power of Magistrate to order a person to be 
measured or photographed. 

6. Resistance to the taking of measurements, etc. 

7. Destruction of photographs and records of 
measurements, etc. on acquittal. 

8. Power to make rules. 

9. Bar of suits. 

 



THE IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS (APPLICATION TO 

HYDERABAD) ACT, 1956.1 

 
ACT No. XXVII OF 1956. 

 
1. (1) This Act may be called the Identification of 
Prisoners (Application to Hyderabad) Act, 1956. 
 
 (2) It extends to the whole of the State of 2Telangana. 
 
 (3) It shall come into force on the date of its publication 
in the Official Gazette. 
 
2. The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 (Central Act 33 
of 1920), hereinafter referred to as the said Central Act, 
shall, with effect from the date of publication of this Act in 
the Official Gazette, extend to and be in force in the area to 
which this Act extends subject to the modification 
mentioned in the Schedule and shall, accordingly be in 
force in the said area with effect from the said date in the 
form specified in the Annexure to the Schedule. 
 
3. The Hyderabad Impressions Evidence Act, 1309 Fasli 
(VII of 1309 Fasli) is hereby repealed: 
 
 Provided that, the repeal shall not affect the previous 
operation of the repealed Act or anything duly done or 
suffered thereunder: 
 

                                                           
1. The Identification of Prisoners (Application to Hyderabad) Act, 1956 
received the assent of the Rajpramukh on 01.09.1956. The said Act in 
force in the combined State, as on 02.06.2014, has been adapted to the 
State of Telangana, under section 101 of the Andhra Pradesh 
Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Central Act 6 of 2014) vide. the Telangana 
Adaptation of Laws (No.2) Order, 2016, issued in G.O.Ms.No.46, Law (F) 
Department, dated.01.06.2016. 
2. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.46, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 

Short title, extent 
and 
commencement. 

Application of 
Central Act 33 of 
1920 to 
Hyderabad. 

Repeal of 
Hyderabad  
Act VII of 1309 
Fasli. 



2  [Act No. XXVII of 1956] 

 Provided further that subject to the preceding proviso, 
anything done or any action taken under the repealed Act, 
shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the 
corresponding provision of the said Central Act and shall 
continue to be in force accordingly, unless and until 
superseded by anything done or any action taken under the 
said Central Act. 
  



[Act No. XXVII of 1956]  3 

SCHEDULE. 
 

The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 (Central Act  
33 of 1920). 

 
 For sub-section (2) of section 1, the following 
sub-section shall be substituted, namely:- 
 
 “(2) It extends to the whole of the Telangana Area of 
the State of Andhra Pradesh.” 
  



4  [Act No. XXVII of 1956] 

ANNEXURE. 
 
 The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 (Central 33 of 
1920) as modified by the aforesaid Schedule. 
 

An Act to authorise the taking of measurements and 
photographs of convicts and others. 

 
 Whereas it is expedient to authorise the taking of 
measurements and photographs of convicts and others; 
 
 It is hereby enacted as follows:- 
 
1. (1) This Act may be called the Identification of 
Prisoners Act, 1920; and  
 
 (2) It extends to the whole of the Telangana Area of the 
State of Andhra Pradesh. 
 
2. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the 
subject or context :- 
 
 (a) „measurement‟ includes finger impressions and 
footprint impressions; 
 
 (b) „police officer‟ means an officer in charge of a 
police station, a police officer making an investigation under 
Chapter XIV of 3the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, or 
any other police officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector; 
and 
 
 (c) „prescribed‟ means prescribed by rules made under 
this Act. 
 

                                                           
3. Please see now the provisions under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974). 

Short title and 
extent. 

Definitions. 



[Act No. XXVII of 1956]  5 

3. Every person who has been- 
 
 (a) convicted of any offence punishable with rigorous 
imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards, or of any 
offence which would render him liable to enhanced 
punishment on a subsequent conviction; or 
 
 (b) ordered to give security for his good behaviour 
under section 118 of 4the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, 
 
shall, if so required, allow his measurements and 
photograph to be taken by a police officer in the prescribed 
manner. 
 
4. Any person who has been arrested in connection with 
an offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term 
of one year or upwards shall if so required by a Police 
Officer, allow his measurements to be taken in the 
prescribed manner. 
 
5. If a Magistrate is satisfied that, for the purposes of any 
investigation or proceeding under 4the Code of Criminal 
Procedure, 1898, it is expedient to direct any person to 
allow his measurements or photograph to be taken he may 
make an order to that effect, and in that case the person to 
whom the order relates shall be produced or shall attend at 
the time and place specified in the order and shall allow his 
measurements or photograph to be taken, as the case may 
be, by a police officer: 
 
 Provided that no order shall be made directing any 
person to be photographed except by a Magistrate of the 
first class: 
 

                                                           
4. Please see now the provisions under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974). 

Taking of 
measurements, 
etc., of convicted 
person. 

Taking of 
measurements,  
of non-convicted 
persons. 

Power of 
Magistrate to 
order a person to 
be measured or 
photographed. 



6  [Act No. XXVII of 1956] 

 Provided further that no order shall be made under this 
section unless the person has at some time been arrested in 
connection with such investigation or proceeding. 
 
6. (1) If any person who under this Act is required to allow 
his measurements or photograph to be taken resists or 
refuses to allow the taking of the same, it shall be lawful to 
use all means necessary to secure the taking thereof. 
 
 (2) Resistance to or refusal to allow the taking of 
measurements or photographs under this Act shall be 
deemed to be an offence under section 186 of the Indian 
Penal Code. 
 
7. Where any person who, not having been previously 
convicted of an offence punishable with rigorous 
imprisonment for a term of one year or upwards has had his 
measurements taken or has been photographed in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act, is released 
without trial or discharged or acquitted by any Court, all 
measurements and all photographs (both negatives and 
copies) so taken shall, unless the Court or (in a case where 
such person is released without trial) the District Magistrate 
or Sub-Divisional Officer for reasons to be recorded in 
writing otherwise directs, be destroyed or made over to him. 
 
8. (1) The State Government may make rules for the 
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 
 
 (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality 
of the foregoing provision, such rules may provide for- 
 
 (a) restrictions on the taking of photographs of persons 
under section 5; 
 
 (b) the places at which measurements and 
photographs may be taken; 

Destruction of 
photographs and 
records of 
measurements, 
etc. on acquittal. 

Power to make 
rules. 

Resistance to the 
taking of 
measurements, 
etc. 



[Act No. XXVII of 1956]  7 

 (c) the nature of the measurements that may be taken; 
 
 (d) the method in which any class or classes of 
measurements shall be taken; 
 
 (e) the dress to be worn by a person when being 
photographed under section 3; and 
 
 (f) the preservation, safe custody, destruction and 
disposal of records of measurements and photographs. 
 
9. No suit or other proceeding shall lie against any person 
for anything done, or intended to be done in good faith 
under this Act or under any rule made thereunder. 
 

* * * 

Bar of suits. 


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