(1)

If the Government considers that it is expedient that any registered person should be -

(a) restricted to any specified area, or

(b) settled in any place [of residence] [Inserted by Punjab Habitual Offenders Control and Reform)(Amendment) Act 1953, .S. 7(i)(a).], the Government may by notification in the official Gazette, declare that such [person] [Substituted for the word 'persons' by Section 7(i)(b), ibid] shall be restricted to the area specified in the notification or shall be settled in the place of [of residence] [Inserted by Punjab Habitual Offenders (Control and Reform) (Amendment) Act 1953, Section 7(i)(a)] so specified, as the case may be:

(2)

Before making any such declaration, the Government shall consider the following matters in an inquiry held by such authority and in such manner as may be prescribed -

(i) the nature and the circumstances of the offences in which the registered person is believed to have been concerned;

(ii) whether the registered person follows any lawful occupation, and whether such occupation is a real occupation or merely a pretence for the purpose of facilitating the commission of crimes;

(iii) the suitability of the restriction-area, or of the place of [residence] [Substituted for the word 'Settlement', by the Punjab Habitual Offenders (Control and Reform) (Amendment) Act, 1963, Section 8, (Punjab Act 20 of 1963).] as the case may be, which it is proposed to specify in the notification;

(iv) the manner in which it is proposed that the person to be restricted or settled shall earn his livelihood within the restriction area or in the place of [residence] [Substituted for the word 'Settlement' by the Punjab Habitual Offenders (Control and Reform) (Amendment) Act, 1963, Section 8, (Punjab Act 20 of 1963).] and the adequacy, of the arrangements which are proposed therefor.