The Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act, 1956
The Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act, 1956
The Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act, 1956 aims to protect young individuals under twenty years of age from literature that depicts crime, violence, or cruelty in a way that could corrupt or incite them. It applies across India to anyone who produces, prints, sells, distributes, advertises, or possesses such harmful publications, including illustrated books, magazines, newspapers, and leaflets. Violators face criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, or both. The law empowers state governments and law enforcement to search premises, seize, forfeit, and destroy offending materials. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to safeguard impressionable minds by preventing the spread of glorification of violent or repulsive content.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
- 2. Definitions.
- 3. Penalty for sale, etc., of harmful publications.
- 4. Power of Government to declare harmful publications forfeited.
- 5. Appeal to High Court against order of forfeiture.
- 6. Power to seize and destroy harmful publications.
- 7. Offences under this Act to be cognizable.
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