apr 2, 1923 - Official Secrets Act 1923

Description:

The Official Secrets Act 1923 is India’s anti-espionage act held over from the British colonial period.

It states clearly that actions which involve helping an enemy state against India are strongly condemned. It also states that one cannot approach, inspect, or even pass over a prohibited government site or area like an electrical substation.

Though it has the toxic colonial origins, it is still in the law book because the govts kept using it to avoid criticism and maintain secrecy.

Context: Crucial documents regarding the Rafael deal have gone missing. Citing the Official Secrets Act, the Attorney General declined to provide any information as it was a concern of ‘national security’.

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