The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act (1919) was popularly known as the Rowlatt Act after its author Sir Sydney A. T. Rowlatt.

The purpose of the Act was to look into the nature and extent of subversive activities then widely prevalent. The Act was to be applicable all over India and was to be operative for three years.

It was divided into five parts,

(a) The Governor-General was empowered to give effect the Act to any area,

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(b) The Act provided for the speedy trial of offences,

(c) In the interest of public safety, suspected persons could be arrested and confined,

(d) It provided that persons interned under the Defence of India Act may not be released,

(e) In the trials of such cases the juris were to be dispensed with.