9 Absurd Indian Laws That Call For A Facepalm

There are certain laws in our country that just leave you dumbstruck. You are minding your own business, doing something that you never thought would be remotely illegal and the next thing you know, your ass is in jail!

Yes, that could happen if you do not know your rights in your own country. It does not seem that these strange Indian laws would be revised any time soon and so it’s best for you to learn them now.

1. It is illegal to fly kites negligently

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Have you ever thought you could be jailed for poor kite flying skills? It can happen. The Aircraft Act, 1934 declares negligent kite flying as an offense punishable with two years of prison or a fine of Rs 10 lakh. According to the Act, kites are considered as an aircraft and the same laws that apply for planes are applied for flying kites as well. Next time, do not shout kai po che, because you have the right to remain silent.

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2. Indian Penal Code does not consider women capable of adultery

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Good news, cheating wives! You can sue your husband’s cheating ass for adultery but he can’t do the same against you. This insane law of Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code was drafted during the 1860s under British rule when men used to have more than one wives and women had little rights. The adultery lawmakers of India clearly hasn’t been with a lot of women.

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3. Only the Indian Post Office can legally deliver letters

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According to the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, it is illegal to send letters through any other service apart from the Indian Post Office. Does that mean the private courier services do not deliver letters? Well, not exactly. They just beat around the law changing the term “letters” with “documents”.

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4. Delhiites are required by the law to beat drums on the street to fight locusts

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This is a Delhiite

He gets on the streets and drums the hell out of locusts.

He doesn’t complain because the East Punjab Agricultural Pests, Diseases, and Noxious Weeds Act, 1949 requires him to do so in the case of locust attacks.

He is a true patriot.

Be like a Delhiite.

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5. Andhra Pradesh requires you to have good teeth to be a motor vehicles inspector

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It’s okay if you have a first class degree in Mechanical or Automobile Engineering, perfect eyesight, good posture and built but if you don’t have bright white teeth, there’s no place for you as a motor vehicles inspector in Andhra Pradesh no matter how qualified you are. How is it relevant? We have no idea. Go read the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1914. 

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6. Men can only get married at 21 but adopt a child at 18

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18 is too young for a man to step into the legal bond of marriage with a consenting woman (who can, by the way, marry at 18) or even consume alcohol. However, if you’re 18 and want to adopt a child and take up the responsibility of a human life, go ahead son, knock yourself out!  The Indian Majority Act, 1875 has got your back!

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7. If you have a son, you can’t adopt one more

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Here’s a hypothetical situation. You had two sons and you lost one at the Kumbh ka, Mela. You find him after a few years in an orphanage and want to adopt him but you can’t. Why? Because the law does not permit you to adopt a child if you already have a child of the same gender.  That’s The Hindu Adoptions And Maintenance Act, 1956 for you.

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8. The legal drinking age changes from state to state

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Did that big, bad Mumbai bartender not serve you liquor because you’re not 25 yet? Don’t worry son, we will just drive down to Goa where the legal drinking age is 18 because all takes is a 600 km and a ten-hour interstate drive to become matured enough to drink alcohol.  At least, that’s what the Indian Alcohol Laws say!

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9. Its okay to commit suicide but NOT okay if you fail

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You manage to kill yourself, well and good, you’re beyond the long hands of the law. However, God forbid, if you fail, you’re a criminal in the eyes of the law and you could end up in jail for a year. There could be two reasons behind this: 1) Your body is state property and 2) The Governments thinks you’re a wuss who can’t even kill himself and should be locked up for that. Although, there have been attempts to scrap the Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, it has not yet been implemented.

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Now you know why yeh andha kanoon hain!

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