The history of the district of Dinajpur is very old one. From very old time this district was ruled by several rulers up to the coming of the British in India. After the advent British in Bengal, the district came under the control of the East India Company in 1765. From the advent of British in Bengal and even up to the post colonial phase the entire district was under some offensive activities. In this context the now question comes in your mind that what crimes activities occurred in those days and how the administrative authority controlled these criminal offences and what was criminal justice of this district? My intention is to find out the crime activities of the district of Dinajpur and West Dinajpur and how the police administration controlled these crimes of Dinajpur district and West Dinajpur and justice, over all. However, we find from the reports of Major Sherwill,the revenue surveyor of this district that various crimes like dacoity, river dacoity, river pirates, murder, arson, theft and petty burglaries, were occurred in Dinajpur during the colonial period. In 1860, there were native officers and foot constables, with village watchmen were employed. The Police forces for the protection of person and property consisted of native officers and foot constables; with some village watchmen. The district police force was constituted in 1861. In this situation, Dinajpur was divided into fifteen police circles or thanas or police station to look after the matter of the local areas. After creation of West Dinajpur in 1956, criminal activities were there. Criminal justice was administered by the District and Sessions Judge, the District Magistrate and the Deputy and Sub-Deputy Magistrates stationed at Dinajpur.
