In Indian English, a history-sheeter sometimes referred to as a rowdy-sheeter is a person with a long criminal record. The history sheet is a holdover from colonial policing.
It is a file maintained for individuals police believe are likely to reoffend. Once opened, the file rarely closes. It tracks personal details, old cases, addresses, associates, and movements.
Indian states such as Rajasthan list a person as a history sheeter when his or her criminal record reaches or exceeds thirty offenses.
History-sheets also get recorded on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) which is a database in which these history-sheets/records and other criminal records get further centrally uploaded on a national scale.
The presence of a history sheet serves as a deterrent, as it subjects criminals to constant police scrutiny.