Vidhi Codex

The Jammu and Kashmir Sapphire Act, 1932

The Jammu and Kashmir Sapphire Act, 1932

General198920 sections

The Sapphire Act regulates the possession, transport, trade, extraction, and export of sapphires, rubies, and other designated precious stones within the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It applies to all individuals in this northern region, asserting that these valuable gems are government property unless a person holds a valid legal title. This legislation matters because it aims to prevent illegal smuggling and unauthorized mining by establishing strict penalties, including up to two years of imprisonment, while granting law enforcement officers broad powers to search properties and arrest suspects without warrants to protect the state's valuable mineral resources.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2. Definitions.
  3. 3. Precious stones to be the property of the State.
  4. 4. Prohibition as to keeping or retaining in possession buying or selling sapphire or ruby within the State after three months from promulgation of this Act.
  5. 5. Penalty.
  6. 6. Offences congnizable and non-bailable.
  7. 7. Officers authorised to prevent commission of offences
  8. 8. Officers authoriscd to seize sapphire or ruby or detain search or arrest suspected person when offence committed.
  9. 9. Application of Code of Criminal Procedure.
  10. 10. Report to Magistrate of seizure of property
  11. 11. Duty of Magistrate.
  12. 12. Confiscation of seized sapphires, rubies, weapons, materials, tools, etc.
  13. 13. Penalty for vexatious or unreasonable seizure, detention etc.
  14. 14. Person in possession of sapphire or ruby within the State at the commencement of this Act to make over such sapphire or ruby to an authorised officer, entitled to 30 per cent of the value.
  15. 15. Value to be determined by Minister-in-charge.
  16. 16. Sapphire or ruby to be deemed illicit if not produced as required by section 14.
  17. 17. Reward to informer.
  18. 18. Report of Mineral Survey Officer to be used as evidence.
  19. 19. Application of the provision of this Act to any other mineral.
  20. 20. Rule making power.

PDF: pending for this language.