<h1>Telecommunications Act 2023: Tampering IMEIs and telecom identifiers punishable up to three years, fines to Rs 50 lakh</h1> Tampering with mobile IMEI and other telecommunication identifiers is a cognizable, non-bailable offence punishable by up to three years' imprisonment, fines up to Rs 50 lakh, or both, under the Telecommunications Act 2023; willful possession of devices with unauthorised or tampered identifiers and abetment carry identical penalties. Telecom cybersecurity rules prohibit removing, altering, or trafficking in hardware or software that enables tampering, and treating programmable IMEIs as tampering. Manufacturers, importers and sellers must register IMEIs on the designated government portal prior to sale or importation; failure to comply attracts the statutory penalties and enforcement measures.