Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have come into force around examination centres in Gurugram as the Haryana Board of School Education begins a series of examinations from Thursday, with the restrictions remaining in place until October 24.
The orders, issued by Gurugram Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Uttam Singh, are aimed at preventing disruption and regulating movement around examination centres during the examinations. The district administration said the examinations will be held daily from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Restrictions around examination centres
Photocopy and xerox shops, cyber cafes and similar establishments located around examination centres have been ordered to remain closed from one-and-a-half hours before the start of an examination until it concludes.
The administration has also prohibited the carrying of weapons within a 500-metre radius of examination centres. Unauthorised people without a valid identity card will not be allowed to enter examination centres.
Gatherings around examination centres that are unlawful and intended to disrupt or obstruct the conduct of examinations have also been prohibited.
The restrictions cover the examinations for secondary classes, including academic and open-school examinations, senior secondary academic and open-school examinations, as well as first- and second-year Diploma in Education (D.Ed) examinations.
Action against violators
Officials said anyone violating the prohibitory orders will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant, along with other applicable provisions of law.
Section 163 of the BNSS empowers authorities to issue orders in urgent cases involving nuisance or apprehended danger. The provision allows an order to be directed at an individual, people residing in a particular area, or the public generally when they are visiting or frequenting a specified place or area.
The Gurugram administration has previously used Section 163 around examination centres to restrict activities that could interfere with the conduct of board and other examinations.
Measures intended to prevent disruption
The latest restrictions are part of the district administration's arrangements to ensure that the board examinations are conducted without interference. The closure of photocopy shops, cyber cafes and similar establishments during the specified period is intended to restrict activities around examination centres while the prohibition on weapons and unauthorised entry is aimed at maintaining security.
The Haryana government’s official release said the restrictions apply to examination centres across Gurugram for the October 1 to October 24 examination period.