Restriction of Habitual Offenders (Punjab) Act, 1918

The Punjab government has proposed a bill to replace outdated laws against habitual offenders, introducing controversial clauses defining anti-social behavior through digital platforms. Critics argue the law reflects a 'hard state' approach, potentially bypassing judicial due process and enabling punitive administrative tribunals.

The Punjab government has introduced the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, 2026, which grants executive powers to freeze bank accounts, seize property, and impose surveillance based on intelligence assessments. The bill draws parallels to colonial-era laws like the 1871 Criminal Tribes Act and the 1918 Restriction of Habitual Offenders Act, which targeted communities and individuals without judicial process.