Naya Daur Naya Kanoon: These 6 Weird Indian Laws Along With Many Others Might Get Abolished Or Changed By Modi Govt

After taking up various missions like bringing back black money stashed abroad, Swachh Bharat, Digital India and Make in India, the Narendra Modi-led government has embarked on another mission to repeal outdated and archaic laws.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Law Ministry to identify these laws and get it repealed through an Act of Parliament. Let’s have a look at six most weird laws in India:

Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1914: This Act requires that a person needs to have ‘well brushed teeth’ in order to be eligible to become an inspector in Andhra Pradesh. A person with dirty, pale teeth cannot become an inspector in the state!

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Section 497): Under this law, a married man can ‘legally’ have sex with an unmarried girl, a divorcee or a widow. It will not be treated as adultery.

If you wish to have sex with a married woman, you need to have her husband’s prior approval! The law states, “Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery, and shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.”

On the other hand, women have the special privilege of having as many extra marital affairs as they wish. This is how gender equality exists in our country.

Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878: Did you know that you can be jailed if you, by chance, find anything that is worth more than Rs 10 and you do not report it to a revenue officer? The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, states that it is mandatory to report it to a revenue officer. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the law was designed to “protect and preserve treasure found accidentally but had archaeological and historical value.”

Indian Post Office Act, 1898: This Act states that “the exclusive privilege of conveying letters is reserved to the government.” So, the whole courier industry in the country is illegal according to this Act. Even sending letters through pigeons might in violation of this Act.

Indian Sarais Act, 1887: This Act makes it mandatory for an innkeeper to report to the nearest police station if someone falls ill at a hotel. The innkeeper is also required “to thoroughly cleanse the rooms and verandahs, and drains of the sarai (hotel), and the wells, tanks, or other sources from, which water is obtained for the persons or animals using it, to the satisfaction of, and so often as shall be required by, the Magistrate of the District, or such person as he shall appoint in this behalf.”

Moreover, he must “remove all noxious vegetation on or near the sarai (hotel), and all trees and branches of trees capable of affording to thieves means of entering or leaving the sarai.”

Indian Aircraft Act, 1934: Flying a kite might be your hobby, but did you know that you need to get a permit for that? According to the Indian Aircraft Act, 1934, kites are also aircraft, and you must obtain a permit as required for a plane.