Section 15B of The Census Act, 1948
1[15B. Protection of action taken in good faith.-- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Census Commissioner or any Director of Census Operations or any census-officer or any member of the census staff for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules made thereunder.]
Summary
- Census officials have legal immunity for things they do as part of their job, provided they act honestly.
- No one can file a lawsuit, prosecution, or other legal proceeding against them for carrying out the census law.
- This covers the Census Commissioner, Directors of Census Operations, census officers, and all census staff.
- The protection applies as long as the action was done, or intended to be done, in good faith under the Act or its rules.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can I sue a census officer if they ask me official questions I do not like?
No, as long as they are asking questions in good faith under the law, they are protected from lawsuits.
2. What does good faith mean in this situation?
It means the official was honestly trying to do their job according to the rules, without bad or malicious intentions.
3. Does this cover all levels of census workers?
Yes, it covers everyone from the Census Commissioner down to local members of the census staff.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 15B of The Census Act, 1948, what is the key requirement for a census officer to be protected from a lawsuit?
Q2.Who is explicitly shielded from legal proceedings under Section 15B of The Census Act, 1948?
Q3.What type of legal action is blocked by Section 15B of The Census Act, 1948 against a census official acting in good faith?
Q4.If a census worker maliciously and intentionally breaks a privacy rule just to harm a homeowner, does Section 15B of The Census Act, 1948 protect them?