It's not just the map: What else can send you to prison for seven years?

An incorrect depiction of the map of India could land the violators in jail with a maximum term of seven years and fine upto Rs 100 crore.

Yes, seven years and Rs 100 crore.

The measure has been envisaged by the government against the backdrop of instances where certain social networking sites showed Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as part of Pakistan and China respectively.

According to the draft ‘The Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016’, it will be mandatory to take permission from a government authority before acquiring, disseminating, publishing or distributing any geospatial information of India.

“Whoever acquired any geospatial information of India in contravention of the law shall be punished with a fine ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 100 crore and/or imprisonment for a period upto seven years,” according to the draft bill.

Recently, Twitter had shown the geographical location of Kashmir in China and Jammu in Pakistan triggering protests from the Indian government after which it was corrected.

The draft bill will ensure that online platforms like Google will have to apply for a license to run Google Maps or Google Earth in India.

Uninitiated with the Indian Penal Code, if you are wondering if the said fine is excessive or not, here are some other offences — of which there are many — that will see you imprisoned for seven years:

Section 308: Attempt to commit culpable homicide

Whoever does any act with such intention or knowledge and under such circumstances that, if he by that act caused death, he would be guilty of culpable homicide… if hurt is caused to any person by such act, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven year.

Section 325: Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt

Whoever voluntarily causes grievous hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Section 420: Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property

Whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person de­ceived to deliver any property to any person, or to make, alter or destroy the whole or any part of a valuable security, or anything which is signed or sealed, and which is capable of being converted into a valuable security, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Section 506: Punishment for criminal intimidation

If the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or (imprisonment for life), or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute, unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprison­ment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Section 468: Forgery for purpose of cheating

Whoever commits forgery, intending that the (document or electronic record forged) shall be used for the purpose of cheating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either de­scription for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Section 27 in Arms Act

Whoever uses any arms or ammunition in contravention of section 5 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to seven years.

Section 304B: Dowry death

Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprison­ment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.

363: Punishment for kidnapping

Whoever kidnaps any person from (India) or from lawful guardianship, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

452: House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrong­ful restraint

Whoever commits house-trespass, having made preparation for causing hurt to any person or for assaulting any person, or for wrongfully restraining any person, or for putting any person in fear of hurt, or of assault, or of wrongful re­straint, shall be punished with imprisonment of either descrip­tion for a term which may extend to seven years.

397: Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt

If, at the time of committing robbery or dacoity, the offender uses any deadly weapon, or causes grievous hurt to any person, or attempts to cause death or grievous hurt to any per­son, the imprisonment with which such offender shall be punished shall not be less than seven years.

Being lumped with people booked under these charges will teach you not to mess with the map!

With inputs from PTI