Information Technology Act Section 65 — Tampering with computer source documents

CHAPTER XI OFFENCES

Cyber Law

Summary

This section makes it an offence to tamper with computer source code that the law requires to be kept or maintained. A person commits this offence if they knowingly or intentionally hide, destroy, or change such source code, or knowingly or intentionally get someone else to do so. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to two lakh rupees, or both.

The explanation clarifies what "computer source code" means for this section. It includes the listing of programmes, computer commands, design and layout, and programme analysis of a computer resource, in any form.

Official Text

Whoever knowingly or intentionally conceals, destroys or alters or intentionally or knowingly causes another to conceal, destroy, or alter any computer source code used for a computer, computer programme, computer system or computer network, when the computer source code is required to be kept or maintained by law for the time being in force, shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine which may extend up to two lakh rupees, or with both.

Explanation.–For the purposes of this section, ―computer source code‖ means the listing of programmes, computer commands, design and layout and programme analysis of computer resource in any form. 6[