The INDIAN TELEGRAPH ACT, 1885

PRELIMINARY

Section 1 — Short title, local extent and commencement.

(1) This Act may be called the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. (2) It extends to whole of India [Omitted .]

(3) It shall come into force on the first day of October, 1885.

Browse all 36 sections
  1. 1.Short title, local extent and commencement.
  2. 2.[Repealed.].
  3. 3.Definitions.
  4. 4.Exclusive privilege in respect of telegraphs, and power to grant licenses.
  5. 5.Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages.
  6. 6.Power to establish telegraph on land of Railway Company.
  7. 6A.Power to notify rates for transmission of messages to countries outside India.
  8. 7.Power to make rules for the conduct of telegraphs.
  9. 7A.Saving of existing agreements.
  10. 7B.Arbitration of disputes.
  11. 8.Revocation of licenses.
  12. 9.Government not responsible for loss or damage.
  13. 9A.Establishment of Universal Service Obligation Fund.
  14. 9B.Crediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India.
  15. 9C.Grants and loans by the Central Government.
  16. 9D.Administration and utilisation of Fund.
  17. 10.Power for telegraph authority to place and maintain telegraph lines and posts.
  18. 11.Rower to enter on property in order to repair or remove telegraph lines or posts .
  19. 20.Establishing, maintaining or working unauthorised telegraph. 20A. Breach of condition of license.
  20. 21.Using unauthorised telegraphs.
  21. 22.Opposing establishment of telegraphs on railway land.
  22. 23.Intrusion into signal-room, trespass in telegraph office or obstruction.
  23. 24.Unlawfully attempting to learn contents of messages.
  24. 25.Intentionally damaging or tampering with telegraphs.
  25. 25A.Injury to or interference with a telegraph line or post.
  26. 26.Telegraph officer or other official making away with or altering, or unlawfully intercepting or disclosing, messages, or divulging purport of signals.
  27. 27.Telegraph officer fraudulently sending messages without payment.
  28. 28.Misconduct.
  29. 29.[Repealed.].
  30. 29A.Penalty.
  31. 30.Retaining a message delivered by mistake.
  32. 31.Bribery.
  33. 32.Attempts to commit offences.
  34. 33.Power to employ additional police in places where mischief to telegraphs is repeatedly committed.
  35. 34.Application of Act to Presidency-towns.
  36. 35.[Repealed.].