In India, failing to walk your dog could have unexpected legal repercussions, including fines or even jail time, as highlighted in a new report by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, which exposes the country’s extensive and often absurd criminal laws. The report details that among 882 federal laws, 370 include criminal provisions that cover a staggering 7,305 acts, ranging from the trivial to the serious.
These laws criminalize everyday behaviors, such as improperly tethering a goat on public streets or even skipping a school attendance order. The think-tank describes this as "India’s crisis of over-criminalisation." It points out that the inclination to resort to criminal law for rectifying mundane issues is not just excessive but also excessive.
It’s noteworthy that while serious crimes like illegal arms possession can lead to severe penalties, minor oversights can also carry significant consequences. For instance, not walking your dog adequately may cost you up to 100 rupees and three months in jail. Other mundane offenses—including flying a kite that causes a disturbance or letting pigs wander onto the road—sit alongside serious violations in the vast assortment of laws.
Interestingly, 73% of these infractions can result in prison sentences ranging from one day to 20 years, raising questions about the proportionality of punishments assigned to various offenses. The report pointedly criticizes the ambiguity in laws, such as numerous offenses tied to "obstruction" of public officers without clear definitions.
Despite the often-burdensome nature of these laws, they are infrequently enforced, with many provisions remaining a tool for potential misuse rather than an active threat. The report describes how a flood of legal restrictions endangers daily life and business, while further straining a judicial system already overburdened with more than 34 million pending cases.
As of recent reports, India’s police force is already stretched, operating significantly below sanctioned strength. In response to this tangled web of legalities, authorities are recognizing the need for significant reforms, with plans to eliminate criminal penalties from over 100 legal provisions.
The overarching message is clear: Indian society may greatly benefit from revising how laws are structured, prioritizing trust over intimidation, and ensuring that the doctrine of criminal law focuses solely on acts that genuinely threaten the welfare of society. With a legal clean-up on the horizon, the call for a system centered more around citizens than suspects is being echoed widely.
