Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Act 2025

This Act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette.

by substituting for subsection (1) the following subsection:

OFFENDERS COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

(AMENDMENT) ACT 2025

“(1)  Subject to subsections (1a) and (1b), where a person who resides within the prescribed distance from a Centre—

has been convicted of an offence for which he is liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not more than ten years; or

is liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for failure to pay a fine or debt, the Court may consider such person to be ordered

Compulsory Attendance Order in lieu of such sentence.”;

by substituting for subsection (1a) the following subsection:

“(1a)  The Court shall only make the Compulsory

Attendance Order under subsection (1) if the Court is of the opinion that—

such person would have been adequately punished by a sentence of imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years; and

it is inexpedient to sentence such person to imprisonment having regard to—

the character of such person;

by inserting after subsection (1a) the following subsections:

Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment)

5

“(1b)  The Court shall specify in the Compulsory

Attendance Order under subsection (1), requiring such person—

to attend daily at a Centre; and

to undertake compulsory work—

for a period not exceeding twelve months; and

The Court may, for further ensuring due compliance with such Compulsory Attendance Order, require the offender to execute a bond with or without sureties.”.

Amendment of section 8

by inserting after subsection (1) the following subsections:

“(1a)  Upon receiving a report under subsection (1), the Court shall cause the offender to be brought before it and the Court may issue—

a summon requiring the offender to appear at the place and time as specified in the summons; or

a warrant for his arrest.

An offender when arrested under paragraph (1a)(b)

may, if not brought immediately before the Court under subsection (2)—