25. Intentionally damaging or tampering with telegraphs.
- If any person, intending(a)to prevent or obstruct the transmission or delivery of any message, or(b)to intercept or to acquaint himself with the contents of any message, or(c)to commit mischief,damages, removes, tampers with or touches any battery, machinery, telegraph lines post or other thing whatever, being part of or used in or about any telegraph or in the working thereof,he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.[25-A. Injury to or interference with a telegraph line or post. [Inserted by Act 7 of 1914, Section 8.]- If, in any case not provided for by section 25, any person deals with any property and thereby wilfully or negligently damages any telegraph line or post duly placed on such property in accordance with the provisions of this Act, he shall be liable to pay the telegraph authority such expenses (if any) as may be incurred in making good such damage, and shall also, if the telegraphic communication is by reason of the damage so caused interrupted, be punishable with a fine which may extend to one thousand rupees:Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply where such damage or interruption is caused by a person dealing with any property in the legal exercise of a right if he has complied with the provisions of section 19-A(1).]
