Section 43 of Madras District Police Act, 1865

Police Officer may require assistance. Penalty for refusal to assist.—If any Police Officer shall at any time find himself unable to effect an arrest, it shall be lawful for him to require any and every person present to assist and aid him in making the arrest; and any person who shall refuse or neglect to comply with such requisition, shall be liable, on conviction before a Magistrate, to a fine not exceeding fifty Rupees, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, or both.