Section 5: [ Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages. [Substituted by Act 38 of 1972, Section 2, for Section 5 (w.e.f. 21.8.1972).]

Q: What does Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (TITA) deal with?

Section 5 TITA pertains to "[ Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages. [Substituted by Act 38 of 1972, Section 2, for Section 5 (w.e.f. 21.8.1972).]". It is part of the The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (TITA) governs [ Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages. [Substituted by Act 38 of 1972, Section 2, for Section 5 (w.e.f. 21.8.1972).]. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 5 TITA still in force?

Yes, Section 5 of the The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 5 TITA?

धारा 5 TITA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 5 of the The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (TITA) governs [ Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages. [Substituted by Act 38 of 1972, Section 2, for Section 5 (w.e.f. 21.8.1972).]. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 5 TITA?

Dhara 5 TITA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 5 of the The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (TITA) governs [ Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages. [Substituted by Act 38 of 1972, Section 2, for Section 5 (w.e.f. 21.8.1972).]. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885?

Cite as: "Section 5, The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (TITA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, § 5 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1)

On the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety, the Central Government or a State Government, or any officer specially authorized in this behalf by the Central or a State Government may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, take temporary possession (for so long as the public emergency exists or the interest of the public safety requires the taking of such action) of any telegraph established, maintained or worked by any person licensed under this Act.

(2)

On the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety, the Central Government or a State Government or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by the Central Government or a State Government may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interests of the sovereignty, and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with Foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, direct that any message or class of messages to or from any person or class of persons, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by or transmitted or received by any telegraph, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained, or shall be disclosed to the Government making the order or an officer thereof mentioned in the order:

Provided that press messages intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central Government or a State Government shall not be intercepted or detained, unless their transmission has been prohibited under this sub-section.]