Section 10: Penalty for harbouring spies

Q: What does Section 10 of The Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA) deal with?

Section 10 OSA pertains to "Penalty for harbouring spies". It is part of the The Official Secrets Act, 1923, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 10 of The Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA) prescribes penalty for harbouring spies. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 10 OSA still in force?

Yes, Section 10 of the The Official Secrets Act, 1923 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 10 OSA?

धारा 10 OSA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 10 of the The Official Secrets Act, 1923. Section 10 of The Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA) prescribes penalty for harbouring spies. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 10 OSA?

Dhara 10 OSA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 10 of the The Official Secrets Act, 1923. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 10 of The Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA) prescribes penalty for harbouring spies. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 10 of The Official Secrets Act, 1923?

Cite as: "Section 10, The Official Secrets Act, 1923 (OSA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Official Secrets Act, 1923, § 10 (India).

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(1)

If any person knowingly harbours any person who he knows or has reasonable grounds for supposing to be a person who is about to commit or who has committed an offence under section 3 or under section 3 read with section 9 knowingly permits to meet or assemble in any premises in his occupation or under his control any such persons, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

(2)

It shall be the duty of every person having harboured any such person as aforesaid, or permitted to meet or assemble in any premises in his occupation or under his control any such persons as aforesaid, to give on demand to a Superintendent of Police or other police officer not below the rank of Inspector empowered by an Inspector-General or Commissioner of Police in this behalf, any information in his power relating to any such person or persons, and if any person fails to give any such information, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

(3)

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.