| Sections | Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 |
| | Preamble |
| | |
| | PART I: PRELIMINARY |
| 1. | Short title, local extent and commencement |
| 2. | Repeal and saving |
| 3. | Definitions |
| | |
| | PART II: PRIVILEGES AND POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT |
| 4. | Exclusive privilege in respect of telegraphs, and power to grant licences |
| 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 |
| | |
| | PART III: POWER TO PLACE TELEGRAPH LINES AND POSTS |
| 10. | Power for telegraph authority to place and maintain telegraph lines and posts |
| 11. | Power to enter on property in order to repair or remove telegraph lines or posts |
| 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 |
| 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 1ine 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 |
| | |
| | PART IV: PENALTIES |
| 20. | Establishing, maintaining or working unauthorised telegraph |
| 20A. | Breach of condition of licence |
| 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. | Omitted |
| 29A. | Penalty |
| 30. | Retaining a message delivered by mistake |
| 31. | Bribery |
| 32. | Attempts to commit offences |
| | |
| | PART V: SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS |
| 33. | Power to employ additional police in places where mischief to telegraphs is repeatedly committed |
| 34. | Application of Act to Presidency-towns |
| 35. | Reference to certain laws of Part B States |
