Harassing, misbehaving with tourists to be non-bailable offense in Rajasthan

Jaipur: Harassing and misbehaving with tourists has become a non-bailable offense in Rajasthan. The first act will be bailable and the repeat offender will be booked under non-bailable sections of the Rajasthan Tourism Trade (Amended) Act, 2021. The amended act has been passed in the Rajasthan assembly.

Misbehaving with tourists will now be a cognizable offense in the state. While tabling the amended act in the assembly on Monday, the minister of state for tourism Govind Singh Dotasara said that section 27-A has been added to the act. As per the other amendments, the repeat offense will be non-bailable.

“The Rajasthan Tourism Trade Act was first introduced in 2010 to protect tourists from harassment and misbehaviour. The objective was to boost the tourism trade and protect tourists so that they take back with them a good image of the state and its culture. The act was not clear whether the offense was bailable or non-bailable. We have clarified this in the amended act,” said Dotasara.

Tourism experts welcomed the decision saying that it would go a long way in protecting tourists from touts and other mischievous elements. Touts used to get bail if they were charged for harassment of tourists, but now they will face prison.