**Executive Summary**
This document is the English translation of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2018, published under the authority of the Governor of Maharashtra on June 9, 2025. The document further amends the Act to include persons involved in illegal gambling, illegal lotteries, and human trafficking. It was first published on the 9th June 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Short Title and Scope:**
* The Act is called the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2018.
* **Amendments to Long Title:**
* The long title of the principal Act is amended to include "Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities, Illegal Gambling, Illegal Lottery and Human Trafficker."
* **Amendment to Section 1:**
* Section 1 of the principal Act is amended to remove the phrase 'of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities" and replace it with "Prevention of Dangerous Activities."
* **Amendments to Section 2:**
* New sub-clauses are inserted under clause (a) to include individuals engaged in illegal gambling or illegal lotteries and human trafficking when their activities affect or are likely to affect public order adversely.
* The Explanation section is amended to include "or by illegal gambling or illegal lottery."
* New clauses are inserted to define "human trafficker" and "person engaged in illegal gambling or illegal lottery."
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Law Enforcement and Judiciary**
* **Impact:** The amendments expand the scope of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act to include offenses related to illegal gambling, illegal lotteries, and human trafficking.
* **Action Required:** Law enforcement and the judiciary need to familiarize themselves with the new definitions and provisions to enforce the amended Act effectively.
**Stakeholder: Public**
* **Impact:** The amendments aim to enhance public order by addressing activities related to illegal gambling, illegal lotteries, and human trafficking.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the amended law and cooperate with law enforcement in providing information about potential offenses.
**Stakeholder: Individuals Involved in Illegal Activities**
* **Impact:** The amendments expose individuals involved in illegal gambling, illegal lotteries, and human trafficking to the provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, potentially leading to detention and stricter penalties.
* **Action Required:** Cease engagement in such activities to avoid legal consequences under the amended Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities Act, 1981: Principal Act being amended.
Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2018: Act amending the principal act, expanding definitions to include illegal gambling, lottery, and human trafficking.
Maharashtra: The state to which this legislation applies.
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In pursuance of clause (3) of article 348 of the Constitution of India, the following
translation in English of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords,
Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons
engaged in Black-marketing of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Mah. Act No.
XXIX of 2025), is hereby published under the authority of the Governor.
By order and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra,
SATISH WAGHOLE,
Secretary (Legislation)
to Government,
Law and Judiciary Department.
MAHARASHTRA ACT No. XXIX OF 2025.
(First published, after having received the assent of the President in the
“Maharashtra Government Gazette,” on the 9th June 2025).
An Act further to amend the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous
Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons,
Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of
Essential Commodities Act, 1981.
WHEREAS it is expedient further to amend the Maharashtra Prevention
of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders,
Mah. LV
of 1981. Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in
Black-marketing of Essential Commodities Act, 1981, for the purposes of
hereinafter appearing; it is hereby enacted in the Sixty-ninth Year of the
Republic of India as follows:—
1. This Act may be called the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Short title.
Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons,
Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of
Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2018.
(1)
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Amendment of 2. In the long title of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Mah. LV
long title of Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Dangerous persons, of 1981.
Mah. LV of
1981. Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of
Essential Commodities Act, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal
Act”), for the words “and Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential
Commodities”, the words “Persons engaged in Black-marketing of Essential
Commodities, Illegal Gambling, Illegal Lottery and Human Trafficker” shall
be substituted.
Amendment of 3. In section 1 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), for the words
section 1 of “Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug-
Mah. LV of
offenders, Dangerous persons, Video Pirates, Sand Smugglers and Persons
1981.
engaged in Blackmarketing of Essential Commodities” the words
“Prevention of Dangerous Activities” shall be substituted.
Amendment of 4. In section 2 of the principal Act,—
section 2 of
Mah. LV of (1) in clause (a),—
1981.
(a) after sub-clause (v), the following sub-clauses shall be inserted,
namely :—
“ (vi) in the case of a person engaged in illegal gambling or
illegal lottery, when he is engaged or is making preparations for
engaging in any of his activities as a person, engaged in illegal
gambling or illegal lottery, which affects adversely, or are likely to
affect adversely, the maintenance of public order;
(vii) in the case of a human trafficker, when he is engaged or is
making preparations for engaging in any of his activities as human
trafficker, which affects adversely, or are likely to affect adversely,
the maintenance of public order;”;
(b) in the Explanation, after the words “film products” the words
“or by illegal gambling or illegal lottery,” shall be inserted;
(2) after clause (e-1), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:—
“(e-1a) “human trafficker” means a person who individually
or as a part of a group of persons engaged in or in preparing to
engage in or associated with or abets human trafficking or who
commits or attempts to commit or abets the commission of offences
104 of
in respect of human trafficking which are punishable under the 1956.
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 or section 370 or 370A of the 45 of
1860.
Indian Penal Code;
(e-1b) “person engaged in illegal gambling or illegal lottery”
means a person who individually or as part of a group of persons
engaged in or in preparing to engage in or associated with or abets
illegal gambling or illegal lottery or engaged in selling of illegal
lottery tickets, or who commits or attempts to commit or abets the
commission of offences in respect of illegal gambling or illegal lottery
IV of
which are punishable under the provisions of the Maharashtra 1887.
Prevention of Gambling Act or the Maharashtra Lotteries (Control LXXXII
of 1958.
and Tax) and Prize Competitions (Tax) Act, or the Lotteries
17 of
(Regulation) Act, 1998;”. 1988.
ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATION, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DIRECTOR,
RUPENDRA DINESH MORE, PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS, 21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD,
MUMBAI 400 004 AND PUBLISHED AT DIRECTORATE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATIONS,
21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD, MUMBAI 400 004. EDITOR : DIRECTOR, RUPENDRA DINESH MORE.