Know Your
Rights & Laws

Governs licensing, vehicle registration, road conduct, and penalties for traffic offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended).

• Driving without a valid licence or insurance attracts fines and possible vehicle seizure.
• Drunk driving, overspeeding, and signal jumping carry escalating penalties for repeat offences.
• Accident victims can claim compensation through the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).
• Challans can be contested in court if issued incorrectly or without due process.

Protects buyers of goods and services from unfair trade practices, defective products, and deficient services.

• Complaints can be filed at District, State, or National Consumer Commissions based on claim value.
• Covers e-commerce transactions, misleading advertisements, and product liability.
• No court fee for claims up to a notified limit — making redressal accessible.
• Remedies include refund, replacement, compensation, and removal of unfair practices.

Addresses offences and disputes arising from digital transactions, online fraud, data theft, and cybercrime.

• Identity theft, phishing, and online financial fraud are punishable under the IT Act.
• Cyberbullying, defamation, and morphing of images are covered under both IT Act and IPC/BNS.
• Complaints can be filed at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or local cyber cell.
• Companies must follow data protection and reasonable security practices for stored user data.

Governs ownership, sale, lease, mortgage, and inheritance of immovable property, along with regulation of real estate projects.

• Always verify the title chain, encumbrance certificate, and patta before purchase.
• Sale agreements and conveyance deeds must be registered to be legally enforceable.
• RERA-registered builders must adhere to project timelines and disclosed specifications.
• Disputes over partition, succession, and adverse possession are handled by civil courts.

Covers marriage, divorce, maintenance, child custody, adoption, and inheritance — governed by personal laws applicable to each community.

• Divorce can be sought on grounds such as cruelty, desertion, or by mutual consent.
• Maintenance can be claimed by spouses, children, and dependent parents under various statutes.
• Custody decisions prioritise the welfare of the child over parental preference.
• Succession laws differ by religion — testamentary (with a will) vs. intestate (without a will).

Defines offences against persons, property, and the state, and the procedure for investigation, arrest, bail, and trial.

• An arrested person has the right to know grounds of arrest and to legal representation.
• Bail is a right in bailable offences; anticipatory bail can be sought before arrest in apprehended cases.
• FIRs must be registered for cognizable offences — refusal can be challenged before a magistrate.
• The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Regulates the relationship between employers and employees — wages, working conditions, termination, and dispute resolution.

• Employees are entitled to timely wages, statutory leave, and safe working conditions.
• Wrongful termination can be challenged before Labour Courts or Industrial Tribunals.
• Provident Fund, ESI, and gratuity benefits are mandatory for eligible employees.
• Sexual harassment complaints at workplaces must be addressed via an Internal Complaints Committee.

Covers direct taxes on income and indirect taxes on goods and services, along with compliance, assessments, and dispute resolution.

• Late filing of returns attracts interest and penalty under both Income Tax and GST laws.
• Notices and assessment orders can be appealed before Commissioner (Appeals) and Tribunals.
• Businesses crossing the prescribed turnover threshold must register for GST.
• Proper bookkeeping and timely compliance reduce exposure to scrutiny and penalties.

Fundamental rights guaranteed to every citizen, and the Right to Information Act empowering citizens to seek transparency from public authorities.

• Fundamental rights include equality, freedom of speech, and protection of life and personal liberty.
• Violations of fundamental rights can be challenged directly before High Courts and the Supreme Court.
• RTI applications must be answered by public authorities within 30 days (48 hours for life/liberty matters).
• Refusal of information can be appealed to the First Appellate Authority and then the Information Commission.

Covers drafting, attestation, and registration of legal documents such as agreements, affidavits, wills, and powers of attorney.

• Documents affecting immovable property worth above the statutory limit must be compulsorily registered.
• A notarised document carries evidentiary value but is distinct from a registered document.
• Wills are not compulsorily registrable but registration strengthens their evidentiary weight.
• Power of Attorney for property transactions should be drafted carefully to avoid future disputes.

Provisions allowing a person to seek release from custody, or protection from arrest, pending investigation or trial.

• Anticipatory bail can be sought from the Sessions Court or High Court before arrest.
• Regular bail is sought after arrest, typically before the Magistrate or Sessions Court.
• Bail conditions may include surety bonds, surrender of passport, or reporting requirements.
• Bail can be cancelled if conditions are violated or the accused tampers with evidence.

Governs incorporation, governance, and dissolution of companies, along with the enforceability of commercial contracts.

• Companies must maintain statutory registers and file annual returns with the Registrar of Companies.
• A valid contract requires offer, acceptance, consideration, and lawful object.
• Breach of contract entitles the aggrieved party to damages, specific performance, or injunction.
• Disputes can be resolved through arbitration clauses, avoiding lengthy court litigation.