The Role of Laws in Society
Laws in our society help in following ethical norms for the best behavior. Ethical standards vary for different people, but laws are developed based on ethics and acts that, when deemed morally and ethically wrong, require decency. For example, workplace harassment is prohibited under the Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013. Laws help sustain orderliness and provide guidelines to promote justice and equality for all.
Indian Constitution and Legal Awareness
Our Indian constitution provides numerous laws and regulations to protect the interests of individuals. However, while it ensures equality in the applicability of such laws, it lacks in promoting awareness of all the rights and benefits it holds for people.
Examples of Legal Provisions
- A tax collection officer can arrest a culprit for violating tax provisions, provided a notice has already been issued. The officer must report to the tax commissioner, who will decide the duration of custody (Income-tax Act, 1961).
- No shopkeeper can charge more than the printed price of goods, but consumers can bargain for a lower price or discount (Maximum Retail Price, 2014).
- A pregnant woman cannot be fired from a company. It is a punishable offense and can result in imprisonment for up to 3 years (Maternity Benefit Act, 1961).
- A police officer is always on duty, whether in uniform or not, and cannot refuse to help a victim by claiming he is not on duty (Police Act, 1861).
- No woman can be arrested by a male officer. A woman can refuse to go to the police station before 6 A.M. and after 6 P.M., except in exceptional situations with prior magistrate permission (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
- If an employer denies payment, an FIR can be filed within 3 years. After 3 years, this power is not available (Limitation Act, 1963).
- Involvement in any 'obscene activity' in public can lead to 3 months of imprisonment, though the law does not specifically define 'obscene activity' (Indian Penal Code, Section 294).
- A Hindu can adopt a second child if he has a son or grandson, with a 21-year gap between the adopted and the biological son (Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956).
- A person driving with over 30g of alcohol in 100ml of blood can be arrested without a warrant (Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Failure to file an FIR can result in a police officer being jailed for 6 months to 1 year (Indian Penal Code).
- No hotel or restaurant can prohibit access to drinking water or washrooms (Indian Sirius Act).
- Helmets and a two-rider limit are mandatory for two-wheeled vehicles (Indian Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Traffic police cannot take away two-wheeler keys; legal action can be taken against them for doing so (Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Adults can legally live in a 'live-in relationship,' and any child from such a relationship is entitled to full rights over the father's assets (Domestic Violence Act, 2005).
- A spouse can apply for divorce on grounds like adultery, abuse, impotency, change of religion, insanity, incurable disease, or absence for 7 years (Hindu Marriage Act).
- An LPG agency must pay Rs 50 lakh if a cylinder explodes during cooking, with compensation to the victim or family upon filing an FIR (Citizen Charter, Indian Oil Corporation).
- No person can be fined multiple times a day for the same vehicle offense (Automotive Amendment Bill, 2016).
- In Delhi, a tenant cannot be forced to vacate without prior notice (Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958).
- No one can be barred from public places based on religion, caste, sex, etc.
- A rape victim's statement can be made privately to a district magistrate without third-party inclusion (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
- A person arrested for a cognizable offense must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, or they must be released (Indian Penal Code).
- Free legal aid is provided to those who cannot afford a lawyer (Legal Service Authorities Act, 1987).
Laws in our society help in following ethical norms for the best behavior. Ethical standards vary for different people, but laws are developed based on ethics and acts that, when deemed morally and ethically wrong, require decency. For example, workplace harassment is prohibited under the Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013. Laws help sustain orderliness and provide guidelines to promote justice and equality for all.
Indian Constitution and Legal Awareness
Our Indian constitution provides numerous laws and regulations to protect the interests of individuals. However, while it ensures equality in the applicability of such laws, it lacks in promoting awareness of all the rights and benefits it holds for people.
Examples of Legal Provisions
- A tax collection officer can arrest a culprit for violating tax provisions, provided a notice has already been issued. The officer must report to the tax commissioner, who will decide the duration of custody (Income-tax Act, 1961).
- No shopkeeper can charge more than the printed price of goods, but consumers can bargain for a lower price or discount (Maximum Retail Price, 2014).
- A pregnant woman cannot be fired from a company. It is a punishable offense and can result in imprisonment for up to 3 years (Maternity Benefit Act, 1961).
- A police officer is always on duty, whether in uniform or not, and cannot refuse to help a victim by claiming he is not on duty (Police Act, 1861).
- No woman can be arrested by a male officer. A woman can refuse to go to the police station before 6 A.M. and after 6 P.M., except in exceptional situations with prior magistrate permission (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
- If an employer denies payment, an FIR can be filed within 3 years. After 3 years, this power is not available (Limitation Act, 1963).
- Involvement in any 'obscene activity' in public can lead to 3 months of imprisonment, though the law does not specifically define 'obscene activity' (Indian Penal Code, Section 294).
- A Hindu can adopt a second child if he has a son or grandson, with a 21-year gap between the adopted and the biological son (Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956).
- A person driving with over 30g of alcohol in 100ml of blood can be arrested without a warrant (Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Failure to file an FIR can result in a police officer being jailed for 6 months to 1 year (Indian Penal Code).
- No hotel or restaurant can prohibit access to drinking water or washrooms (Indian Sirius Act).
- Helmets and a two-rider limit are mandatory for two-wheeled vehicles (Indian Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Traffic police cannot take away two-wheeler keys; legal action can be taken against them for doing so (Motor Vehicle Act, 1988).
- Adults can legally live in a 'live-in relationship,' and any child from such a relationship is entitled to full rights over the father's assets (Domestic Violence Act, 2005).
- A spouse can apply for divorce on grounds like adultery, abuse, impotency, change of religion, insanity, incurable disease, or absence for 7 years (Hindu Marriage Act).
- An LPG agency must pay Rs 50 lakh if a cylinder explodes during cooking, with compensation to the victim or family upon filing an FIR (Citizen Charter, Indian Oil Corporation).
- No person can be fined multiple times a day for the same vehicle offense (Automotive Amendment Bill, 2016).
- In Delhi, a tenant cannot be forced to vacate without prior notice (Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958).
- No one can be barred from public places based on religion, caste, sex, etc.
- A rape victim's statement can be made privately to a district magistrate without third-party inclusion (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
- A person arrested for a cognizable offense must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours, or they must be released (Indian Penal Code).
- Free legal aid is provided to those who cannot afford a lawyer (Legal Service Authorities Act, 1987).