GRAVE CRIMES AND OFFENCES IN THE NORTHERN COASTAL DISTRICTS OF MADRAS PRESIDENCY

The subject of crime has varied interpretation at different places and at different times, but at the bottom crime is nothing but failure to live up to the recognized standard of the society. An act done by a person intended or not intended which cause death or grievous hurt or any damage or lost of property without permission of the owner was said to be an offence. Crime was inevitable in the Northern Coastal Districts of Madras Presidency as it was densely populated, well flourished with fertile agricultural lands and agency tracts inhabited by numerous criminal tribes. Cognizable offense and non-cognizable offenses were dealt under the Indian Penal Code and the culprits were punished. Various grave crimes such as murder, dacoity, robbery, theft and other crimes like cheating, forgery, counterfeit of currency, infanticide, culpable homicide, rapes, etc., were of frequent occurrence in this region. The motives for these crimes were political, socio-economic reasons, communal causes, faction fights, family disputes, sexual jealousy, labour troubles, unseasonal conditions and other offences