Ridiculous Laws in India that you must know about
Although some of us feel that laws are made to control the crime rate and establish moral grounds, there are some ridiculous laws that are not only outdated but also unnecessary. They represent the problems and morality of a bygone era and don’t work in the modern world.
Some of these laws have been abolished but it is interesting how long they lasted. Here are 10 laws that are considered by some as the most ridiculous in India.
1) It is illegal to send a letter through any service other than the Indian Post Office.
As bizarre as it may sound, it’s TRUE. Section 4 of The Indian Post Office Act 1898 states “… the Central Government shall have the exclusive privilege of conveying by post, from one place to another…” and it covers almost all letters, barring a few impractical exceptions.
If you haven’t wondered why all of the courier services offer to deliver ‘documents’ and have no option of ‘letter’ delivery, now you know and you know the reason as well. The act also defines the penalty for contravention of section 4 by any party, which is “punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees for every such letter”
It is laughable though that in the modern age of email, instant messengers and many means of electronic telecommunication what is the need for such a law.
2) Flying a kite is illegal in India
Kites are nostalgic, they make us relive our childhood days, but did you know that flying a kite can end you up in jail. Yes, you heard it right “jail” As per Section 11 of the Indian Aircraft Act, 1934, a person can be prisoned for two years or charged a fine of up to Rs.10 lacs if he/she flies an aircraft in such a way that it causes danger to any person or property on land, water or in the air.
According to the Act “aircraft means any machine which can “derive support in the atmosphere from the reaction of the air that includes balloons, airships, kites, gliders and flying machines” and if you think that this is a mistake since the lawmakers do not revisit such old laws, it was amended in January 2008.
So the next time you consider flying a kite, you better watch out for the jail time or a fine that you might have you sell your kidneys for.
3) Salt Cess Act, 1953
The Salt Cess Act, 1953 levies a cess – a tax imposed for special administrative expenses – on salt manufacturers at the rate of 14 paise (2 cents) per 40kg on all salt made in a private or state-owned salt factory.
The absurdity of the law lies in the fact that the cost of collecting this tax is almost twice as much as the total tax collected. A High-Level Salt Enquiry Committee set up in 1978 recommended that the tax should be scrapped since the total cost of collecting it was more than half of the total collection. The recommendation is still pending.
Seriously, it takes our parliament more than 42 years to decide on the recommendation of a High-Level Committee on scrapping an archaic law that will save taxpayers money.
4) It is illegal for more than 10 couples to dance on a dance floor.
You heard it right, according to the Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act, 1911, by which you can’t gather in a public place with a large crowd if it’s likely to cause a disturbance to people around the area without permission, in other words, no dancing in public more than 10 couples without permission, I believe this law was an inspiration taken by the writers of the movie “Footloose”
5) Suicide is legal, but attempted suicide is not.
This one’s a killer, quite literally. Even though suicide shouldn’t be an option for anyone, believe it or not, if you commit an unsuccessful suicide, then as per Section 309 in The Indian Penal Code, you could go to jail for up to 1 year. But, if you are successful there will be no case on you (cause you dead). If you ever feel like committing suicide or know someone who might call or contact the nearest suicide prevention number.
6) If you find Rs. 10 and above on the road and don’t report it, you could go to jail.
When we find money on the road we feel it’s our lucky day, the truth is that we could end up in jail or pay a fine more than the amount we found, if we don’t report it to the police, under The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878.
Even though the value of Rs. 10 in 1878 will be more than Rs. 1000 in the year 2020 (if we adjust for the inflation), The Government of India has kept its reputation of inaction and hasn’t updated the value in the law.
7) Prostitutes are legal, pimps aren’t
Yes, prostitution is legal in India, as seen in many shows and movies, prostitution is very visible in places known as Red light areas, it is because being a prostitute is not illegal, but being a procurer or pimp is illegal as it comes under human trafficking and is a punishable offense.
8) If you find a treasure you have to report it and it belongs to the Government.
Once again on the list, we have The Indian Treasure-Trove Act, 1878, we all love to play treasure hunt and find clues till we reach the treasure imagine all the hard work we did goes down in drains. After being adopted from English law, this law hasn’t been amended either.
The law states that if you find gold or anything of value of more than Rs 10, you have to report it, after which, The Government Of India can seize everything that you found and to gain it back you have to spend years in civil court proving that the treasure belongs to you.
9) LGBTQ – A law by the British.
After finally being abolished on 6 September 2018, section 377 of IPC became one of the major landmark cases of 2018, but the history and reason behind section 377 are quite ridiculous. The sexuality of people like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer was questioned on their mental and psychological health.
The law was made by Britishers to control their men from raping their roommates or men on board because of a lack of women in their journey to India and in war under The Buggery Act of 1533. Well, finally The Government Of India and its people will keep their eyes and ears away from what happens in other people’s beds.
10) PDA is illegal
Not all of us like couples who engage in PDA (Public display of affection). Under section 294 Indian Penal code prohibits obscene acts in public. You can’t say, sing or do anything obscene out in the open.
What’s really scary about the law is that it is eerily silent on the definition of obscene and what are the things or acts that can amount to obscenity. So if you were just ruling out singing, dancing, hugging or kissing as they do in the movies, this ambiguity puts even holding hands under question.
So when the coronavirus lockdown ends, and you are out and about in public with your lover or spouse, you might want to maintain the social distance that COVID-19 has taught us.
11) Beat the drum against Locust Raid.
When India is swamped by locust, India has a law under The East Punjab Agricultural Pests, Diseases and Noxious Weeds Act, 1949 that every person in surrounding areas of locust raid should beat the drums as hard as possible to send them away, failure to do so can lead to a fine of Rs.50 or imprisonment up to 10 days.
Our advice? Sit tight, paying Rs. 50 fine will be better than buying a new drum 🙂
12) White and Strong teeth for a job
In order to get hired as an Andhra Pradesh motor vehicle inspector you need to have white and strong teeth, it may be because the officers should not seem threatening when one has come for their driver’s license test. I can assure you no reporter will ever go to the Andhra motor vehicle inspector and scream asking “Kya aapke toothpaste meh namak hai?”.
We hope you liked this collection of Ridiculous Laws. If you know of any other, please do leave a comment for us and we will include it in the list here.
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