On this day the petty offences in the town of Calcutta Act, 1839, was passed by the President of the Council of India in Council. It was enacted to clarify matters pertaining to the trial of prisoners charged with the commission of petty offences in Kolkata and on the river Hooghly. The Act referred to offences such as felony and larceny.
“Whereas it is expedient to make further provision in regard to such charges of felony as have been usually determined by Justices of the Peace, under the authority of the Bye-Laws for the Town of Kolkata; by preventing, as far as is consistent with the attainment of justice, any delay of trial, or inconvenience to prosecutors, witnesses and juryment; by limiting the powers heretofore exercised by such Justices; and by subjecting their proceeding upon convictions for felony to more regular control and revision:” it began.
“And it is hereby declared and enacted, that all persons charged with the commission of simple larceny within the Town of Kolkata may be tried by any Justice of the Peace for the said Town, provided the value of the property which the prisoner is charged with having stolen does not, according to the belief of such Justice, exceed twenty rupees,” it added.