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Repealed or not in force

The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, 13 of 1885, (Rep., Act 44 of 2023)

40 sections · As amended up to 2026-08

Sections

  1. 0Section 0
  2. 1Short title, local extent and commencement
  3. 3Definitions
  4. 4Exclusive privilege in respect of telegraphs, and power to grant licenses
  5. 5Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages
  6. 6Power to establish telegraph on land of Railway Company
  7. 6APower to notify rates for transmission of messages to countries outside India
  8. 7Power to make rules for the conduct of telegraphs
  9. 7ASaving of existing agreements
  10. 7BArbitration of disputes
  11. 8Revocation of licenses
  12. 9Government not responsible for loss or damage
  13. 9AEstablishment of Universal Service Obligation Fund
  14. 9BCrediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India
  15. 9CGrants and loans by the Central Government
  16. 9DAdministration and utilisation of Fund
  17. 10Power for telegraph authority to place and maintain telegraph lines and posts
  18. 11Power to enter on property in order to repair or remove telegraph lines or posts
  19. 12Power for local authority to give permission under section 10, clause (
  20. 13Power for local authority to require removal or alteration of telegraph line or post
  21. 14Power to alter position of gas or water pipes or drains
  22. 15Disputes between telegraph authority and local authority
  23. 16Exercise of powers conferred by section 10, and disputes as to compensation, in case of property other than that of a local authority
  24. 17Removal or alteration of telegraph line or post on property other than that of a local authority
  25. 18Removal of trees interrupting telegraphic communication
  26. 19Telegraph lines and posts placed before the passing of this Act
  27. 19APerson exercising legal right likely to damage telegraph or interfere with telegraphic communication to give notice
  28. 19BPower to confer upon licensee powers of telegraph authority under this Part
  29. 21Using unauthorised telegraphs
  30. 22Opposing establishment of telegraphs on railway land
  31. 24Unlawfully attempting to learn contents of messages
  32. 25AInjury to or interference with a telegraph line or post
  33. 26Telegraph officer or other official making away with or altering, or unlawfully intercepting or disclosing messages, or divulging purport of signals
  34. 27Telegraph officer fraudulently sending messages without payment
  35. 28Misconduct
  36. 29APenalty
  37. 30Retaining a message delivered by mistake
  38. 31Bribery
  39. 33Power to employ additional police in places where mischief to telegraphs is repeatedly committed
  40. 34Application of Act to Presidency-towns