India’s antiquities laws: an antiquated relic?

The global demand for Indian antiquities is growing rapidly, but the legal framework governing Indian antiquities is ill-equipped to deal with these pressures and is largely underwhelming. The primary legislation governing antiquities in India is the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972. This article explores the various facets of how the Antiquities Act, which originally sought to regulate the business of dealing in antiquities, has allegedly negatively impacted the growth of the Indian antiquities industry by creating an onerous regime of registration and compliance for stakeholders, while empowering the Archaeological Survey of India with several draconian powers.