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The Indian Telegraph Act `1885

An Act to amend the law relating to Telegraphs in India.
1885
List of Chapters & Sections

  1. PRELIMINARY

  2. 1
     Short title, local extent and commencement
  3. 2
     [Repealed.]
  4. 3
     Definitions

  • PRIVILEGES AND POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT

  • 4
     Exclusive privilege in respect of telegraphs, and power to grant licenses
  • 5
     Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages
  • 6
     Power to establish telegraph on land of Railway Company
  • 6A
     Power to notify rates for transmission of messages to countries outside India
  • 7
     Power to make rules for the conduct of telegraphs
  • 7A
     Saving of existing agreements
  • 7B
     Arbitration of disputes
  • 8
     Revocation of licenses
  • 9
     Government not responsible for loss or damage

  • UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION FUND

  • 9A
     Establishment of Universal Service Obligation Fund
  • 9B
     Crediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India
  • 9C
     Grants and loans by the Central Government
  • 9D
     Administration and utilisation of Fund

  • POWER TO PLACE TELEGRAPH LINES AND POSTS

  • 10
     Power for telegraph authority to place and maintain telegraph lines and posts
  • 11
     Rower to enter on property in order to repair or remove telegraph lines or posts

  • Provisions applicable to property vested in or under the control or management of local authorities.

  • 12
     Power for local authority to give permission under section 10, clause (c), subject to conditions
  • 13
     Power for local authority to require removal or alteration of telegraph line or post
  • 14
     Power to alter position of gas or water pipes or drains
  • 15
     Disputes between telegraph authority and local authority

  • Provisions applicable to other property

  • 16
     Exercise of powers conferred by section 10, and disputes as to compensation, in case of property other than that of a local authority
  • 17
     Removal or alteration of telegraph line or post on property other than that of a local authority
  • 18
     Removal of trees interrupting telegraphic communication
  • 19
     Telegraph lines and posts placed before the passing of this Act
  • 19A
     Person exercising legal right likely to damage telegraph or interfere with telegraphic communication to give notice
  • 19B
     Power to confer upon licensee powers of telegraph authority under this Part

  • PENALTIES

  • 20
     Establishing, maintaining or working unauthorised telegraph. 20A. Breach of condition of license
  • 21
     Using unauthorised telegraphs
  • 22
     Opposing establishment of telegraphs on railway land
  • 23
     Intrusion into signal-room, trespass in telegraph office or obstruction
  • 24
     Unlawfully attempting to learn contents of messages
  • 25
     Intentionally damaging or tampering with telegraphs
  • 25A
     Injury to or interference with a telegraph line or post
  • 26
     Telegraph officer or other official making away with or altering, or unlawfully intercepting or disclosing, messages, or divulging purport of signals
  • 27
     Telegraph officer fraudulently sending messages without payment
  • 28
     Misconduct
  • 29
     [Repealed.]
  • 29A
     Penalty
  • 30
     Retaining a message delivered by mistake
  • 31
     Bribery
  • 32
     Attempts to commit offences

  • SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISION

  • 33
     Power to employ additional police in places where mischief to telegraphs is re
  • 34
     Application of Act to Presidency-towns
  • 35
     [Repealed.]