Laws Regarding Carrying A Knife (as a tool or for defense)

trekkinmama

I am traveling to India in a few weeks and am wondering about Indian laws pertaining to knives. It may seem like a weird question but I often carry a utility knife and am figuring that on a trek that might be useful. In the US, some states have laws limiting knife carry. I believe that in the UK it is unlawful to carry a knife. Does anyone know what the laws are in India pertaining to knives? Or can someone direct me to the appropriate site to find the answer to this question? Thanks!

capt_mahajan

Laws may be immaterial here, though I think.. not sure there is a law against carrying more than a certain length of blade.

As long as you have a utility knife on you, shouldnt be a problem. I often carry a Swiss army knife myself on outstation trips.

Within cities, there are a few places where metal detectors are being used more now... multiplexes, some offices, some railway stations etc.. so I wouldn't carry a knife on my person there, just to be sure.

capt_mahajan

Just saw the title includes 'for self defence'.

This is, literally, a double edged sword. If there is a problem, you may prefer not to be found with an obvious weapon on your person, even if it has not been used.

steven_ber

Capt, if there were a problem and a tourist pulled out a knife, what could be the consequences with the locals and the law?

I'd assume the 'allowances' for tourists would disappear immediately, but I'd be very concerned.

I've read far too many newspaper articles where the person perceived to have started to trouble gets beaten to death by a mob, and more worrying, these articles tell of these incidents in a 'matter of fact' tone, almost as if the death was the acceptable conclusion.

It's also worrying that the police seem to arrive at these incidents, take down the details, then leave without arresting anyone.

I know things may not be the same in all parts of India.

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capt_mahajan

Steven, I am generalising broadly here, but

-If anybody pulled a knife against a local, the consequences may be dire unless it was very obvious the local was at fault in a big way (ie, it warranted pulling a knife). This can be very situational, mob control eludes the best trained people and nobody knows how a mob will react.

-Unless a very clear and present danger, both the locals and the cops will take very unkindly to somebody pulling out a knife.

-the beaten to death things happen more with preceived heinous acts.. which enrage the mob. These are more probable in some parts of the country (including peace loving parts nobody imagines).. and it is impossible for a foreign tourist to know this.

-Allowances for tourists will not extend to inappropriate action.. pulling a knife etc will be seen to be a pretty drastic step. Like I said, clear and present danger.

The matter of fact tone you mention is not because its an acceptable conclusion. It is more that this sometimes happens, and nobody is really surprised.

The cops dont want extra work. So unless its a big incident, or a law and order situation... for eg, if I went for a walk, somebody jostled me, I pulled a knife and the guy walked off and nobody got hurt... even if the cops came, they probably wouldn't arrest me.. unless they wanted to extract money from me, or if the guy who jostled me was 'well connected'.

Disclaimer again: Generalising. I am sure many, me included, could give instances where what I say is not correct.

Nick-H

Some police, I hear, like to be lazy and go for the convenient answer. People have told me that they are reluctant to report crime, as they might find themselves the suspect.

You are very unlikely to need to defend yourself anyway...

<crossposted with Steven, and Capt again>

Steven, I think your concerns are absolutely correct, and I would also urge anybody to consider that however 'clear and present' the danger, there may very well be language problems in pointing that out.

Unless a tourist is incredibly indiscreet in what they do and where they do it, or very, very unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, self defense is so unlikely to be needed it just isn't worth thinking about.

Thieves, for instance, can so much more easily convert and Indian woman's gold chain into a useful amount of cash; why would they bother with a tourist's camera?

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karnail

In India it is illegal to carry any knife which is:
1) Spring actuated
2) Button actuated
3) of more than the specified length(perhaps 9 inches)or breadth.
If you are found in possession of one or take it out(technically ready to use) You are guilty of a non-bailable offence under Arms act-1959.
What happens on the spot, I will not be able to foresee.
http://karnail.blogspot.com/

globalgoldie

I carry a swiss army knife(Medium one) everyday(my house keys are hooked) for the last 3-4 years.
Till date i havnt faced any issues at all .

T.I.P

I have a victorinox which I carry on trips.. Never used it.. never had to.

I know a few friends who use a victorinox.

I think its legal to carry a victorinox in India.. It also depends on whem and whom you use it on :P

http://www.victorinoxindia.com/

If you slap a local or flick a blade.. its the same thing.. You get mobbed!!

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Nick-H

There's plenty of Swiss Army Knives for sale in the shops, so must be legal.

You should see the 'weapon' our gardener carries around on his bike --- hacks through tree branches in a few strokes.

steven_ber

Off-topic alert.....

Whenever I think of someone on a pushbike in India, I thing of a man I saw with about 30 trays of eggs balanced on the back of his bike in Trivandrum, I almost got lost following him down the road to see when he'd drop them all, he didn't.

incitatus

I wouldn't advise carrying a large 'Rambo' style knife on open show esp in cities (although I've seen Sikhs carrying Indian versions).
You've mentioned trekking...hundreds of travellers have 'disappeared' while trekking.
A knife can come in handy for all sorts of uses while trekking.

shashank.aggarwal

That thing and the giant scissor they have ... (I have one at my home as well )...

they are really scary..I remember ..when I was a kid always used to imagine the result if I stabbed someone with it...

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trekkinmama

Please don't misunderstand, I am a very peaceful person. It was suggested I bring a blade on this trip, but I don't want to bring anything that is illegal in India. A Swiss Army knife sounds fine.

Nick-H

I wonder who advised you, and why?

Was it someone who knows India well? Or someone who knows the area you are visiting?

I don't think it was appropriate advice at all, except for pealing fruit!

Also... unless you really are able to defend yourself and able to fight, what's the point? (no pun intended ) It is likely that the knife would be quickly taken from, and used against you.

You'll be fine here.

Just don't knock the guy's egg bike over!