found some silver articles while digging.is it legal to keep them

584 votes

you can keep the coins until you tell this to anybody else. since if nobody knows, nobody can complain against you. otherwise whatever is found beneath the earth is Government of India's property. suppose if there is a natural gas storage beneath your house, it does not belong to you but Govt. of India.

Advocate Vaibhav Prakash Shukla LawRato

534 votes

As per the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 you have to first inform the Government of India through Archaeological Survey of India and thereafter you may be considered for grant of compensation by the Government, if you are found eligible as per the law.

Advocate Saugata Nath Mitra LawRato

604 votes

Yes, there is a law which obligates you to return the treasure back to the Government. The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 will be applicable in this case. Section 4 of the said Act clearly says that
if anyone finds a treasure exceeding in amount or value ten rupees is found, the finder shall give to the Collector notice in writing—
(a) of the nature and amount or approximate value of such treasure;
(b) of the place in which it was found;
(c) of the date of the finding:
and either deposit the treasure in the nearest Government Treasury, or give the Collector such security as the Collector thinks fit, to produce the treasure at such time and place as be may from time to time require.

Therefore, you are bound by law to return the same back to the Government.

Advocate Shubham Jain LawRato