Question 97 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Polity & Governanc e

Question

With reference to India, consider the following pairs:
1. Unauthorized wearing of police or military uniforms - The Official Secrets Act, 1923
2. Knowingly misleading or otherwise interfering with a police officer or military officer when engaged in their duties - The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
3. Celebratory gunfire which can endanger the personal safety of others - The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Only two

Strategy: - Verify the direct linkage between described acts and named statutes.
- Confirm Pair 1: Unauthorized uniform use aligns with the Official Secrets Act's provisions.
- Evaluate Pair 2: Misleading officers aligns with the Official Secrets Act, not the Indian Evidence Act, making this match incorrect.
- Verify Pair 3: Celebratory gunfire directly matches the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019.
- Conclude that only Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Key Info: ## Official Secrets Act, 1923
Enacted during the British regime, this act deals with national security, espionage, and the protection of official information.
- Section 6 penalizes unauthorized use of police or military uniforms to prevent imposture near protected places.
- Section 7 criminalizes obstructing, misleading, or interfering with security officials on duty at classified locations.
This Act safeguards sensitive installations and information.

## Indian Evidence Act, 1872
This act governs the admissibility and relevancy of evidence in Indian courts.
- It does not specifically address obstruction or misleading officers engaged in official security-related field duties.
- Legal remedies for interfering with police or military are typically found in other statutes, such as the Indian Penal Code or special acts like the Official Secrets Act.

## Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019
This act amends the Arms Act, 1959.
- It explicitly covers the use of firearms in a rash or negligent manner, including celebratory firing, under Section 25(9).
- Violations are punishable by up to two years' imprisonment and a fine.
- This provision was introduced to address incidents of injury and death from reckless celebration gunfire.
The 2019 Amendment aims to curb the misuse of licensed arms and enhance penalties.

## Celebratory Gunfire
- Common in weddings and festivities, it is now a specific criminal offense under Indian arms regulations due to frequent safety incidents.
- This act is addressed to ensure public security and deter dangerous customs.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: All three

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: None