The railways could also go to court to seek damages. He said Eastern Railway had suffered the maximum damage, worth Rs 70 crore, while Northeast Frontier Railway’s bill was Rs 10 crore. PTI quoted sources who indicated that those deemed guilty of damaging railway property would be charged under Section 151 of the Indian Railway Act, which provides for up to seven years’ jail. Even before the April 2009 judgment, India had a law to punish those who destroy public property, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. Till 1984, provisions of the Indian Penal Code of 1860 were invoked to deal with the destruction of public property.

Source: The Telegraph December 31, 2019 01:30 UTC