Tampering with computer source documents
Section 65 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 deals with tampering with computer source documents. 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 ma The Act came into force on 17 Oct 2000.
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
Section 65, The Information Technology Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Ramesh Rajagopal vs Devi Polymers Pvt. LTD
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When allegations of forgery and fraud are made on the basis of website content that clearly identifies a company division's connection to its parent company through visible links and shared addresses, and when no fraudulent intent can be inferred, no deceptive transactions occurred, and no person was induced to part with property or enter contracts based on such representation, the criminal allegations do not constitute a prima facie offence under Sections 463, 468, or 471 IPC or Sections 65-66 IT Act 2000. Such criminal proceedings initiated as part of a private corporate dispute constitute abuse of court process and must be quashed under Section 482 CrPC in the interests of justice.
On this section: Concealment, destruction or alteration of source code; court found no allegation that code was concealed or altered
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Nallapareddy Sridhar Reddy v. State of Andhra Pradesh
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
HC Final Order order-1.pdf 2019-12-19 DATE VERIFIED. D.V.S.S. Somayajulu. Crl.P. 4008/2019. Extracts IT Act 65 explanation: computer source code means listing of programmes, computer commands, design and layout and programme analysis of a computer resource. Sending fake emails from an untraced UK IP is not tampering with computer source code under s.65. Map it-act 65 only. Do not pad it-act 66 (already filled as 66C/66D/67B) or CrPC 188 (incidental extra-territorial vs IT 75).
On this section: IT Act 65 covers tampering with computer source code (listing of programmes, commands, design and layout); sending fake emails is not s.65 (Nallapareddy Sridhar Reddy).
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Pushpendra Chauhan vs State of U.p.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In cases involving ongoing investigation where chargesheet has not been filed, anticipatory bail may be granted till filing of police report under Section 173(2) CrPC, provided the court is satisfied after considering the nature and gravity of offences, the role attributed to the applicant, the likelihood of influencing investigation or tampering with evidence, and the likelihood of fleeing justice. The grant or refusal of anticipatory bail is a matter of judicial discretion to be exercised based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.
On this section: Charge of IT Act violation against the applicant
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 65
What have the courts held on Section 65 of the Information Technology Act?
Ramesh Rajagopal vs Devi Polymers Pvt. LTD (19 Apr 2016) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Concealment, destruction or alteration of source code; court found no allegation that code was concealed or altered. Another 2 judgments on this section are set out below, 1 of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2016 to 2023.
How do I find court cases under Section 65 of the Information Technology Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: IT Act 65, section 65 IT Act, section 65 of the Information Technology Act. People searching for it also type it act 65b and it act 65 malayalam. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 3 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Ramesh Rajagopal vs Devi Polymers Pvt. LTD (19 Apr 2016).
When did Section 65 of the Information Technology Act come into force?
Section 65 of the Information Technology Act, cited as IT Act 65, came into force on 17 Oct 2000, having been enacted on 09 Jun 2000. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1304 words
- 87. Power of Central Government to make rules877 words
- 43. Penalty and compensation for damage to computer, computer system, etc506 words
- 46. Power to adjudicate370 words
- 89. Power of Controller to make regulations345 words
- 70B. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team to serve as national agency for incident response326 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.