In response to the growing challenge of nationalist organisations, Commissioner Frederick L. Halliday oversaw the creation of the Special Branch in 1909 on the recommendation of Sir Charles Tegart. Its original function was to gather confidential reports and intelligence on revolutionaries and secret societies fighting for India’s Independence. Today, it continues to perform specialised tasks, such as the monitoring of programmes involving VIPs, their movements, and security. It is headed by a Joint Commissioner of Police.