Section 20: Executive Magistrates

Q: What does Section 20 of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (TCLAA) deal with?

Section 20 TCLAA pertains to "Executive Magistrates". It is part of the The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 20 of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (TCLAA) governs executive Magistrates. As verified on 22 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 20 TCLAA still in force?

Yes, Section 20 of the The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 20 TCLAA?

धारा 20 TCLAA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 20 of the The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. Section 20 of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (TCLAA) governs executive Magistrates. As verified on 22 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 20 TCLAA?

Dhara 20 TCLAA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 20 of the The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 20 of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (TCLAA) governs executive Magistrates. As verified on 22 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 20 of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013?

Cite as: "Section 20, The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 (TCLAA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, 2013, § 20 (India).

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(1)

In every district and in every metropolitan area, the State Government may appoint as many persons as it thinks fit to be Executive Magistrates and shall appoint one of them to be the District Magistrate.

(2)

The State Government may appoint any Executive Magistrate to be an Additional District Magistrate, and such Magistrate shall have [such] [Substituted by Act 45 of 1978, Section 7, for "all or any "(w.e.f. 18-12-1978).] of the powers of a District Magistrate under this Code or under any other law for the time being in force, [as may be directed by the State Government] [Inserted by Act 45 of 1978 Section 7 (w.e.f. 18-12-1978).].

(3)

Whenever, in consequence of the office of a District Magistrate becoming vacant, any officer succeeds temporarily to the executive administration of the district, such officer shall, pending the orders of the State Government, exercise all the powers and perform all the duties respectively conferred and imposed by this Code on the District Magistrate.

(4)

The State Government may place an Executive Magistrate in charge of a sub-division and may relieve him of the charge as occasion requires; and the Magistrate so placed in charge of a sub-division shall be called the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

[(4-A) The State Government may, by general or special order and subject to such control and directions as it may deem fit to impose, delegate its powers under sub-section (4) to the District Magistrate.] [Inserted by Act 25 of 2005, Section 2(w.e.f. 23.6.2006).]

(5)

Nothing in this section shall preclude the State Government from conferring, under any law for the time being in force, on a Commissioner of Police, all or any of the powers of an Executive Magistrate in relation to a metropolitan area.

PUNJAB.-Powers of Executive Magistrates.- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, -

UTTAR PRADESH.- After sub-section (5) of Section 20 of this Code the following sub-section shall be inserted -

(6) The State Government may delegate its powers under sub-section (4) to the District Magistrate. [U.P. Act No. 1 of 1984, Section 5 w.e.f. 1-5-1984]