Offences Against Public Tranquillity Under Indian Penal Code 1860

Offences against public tranquillity under Indian Penal Code 1860 include rioting, unlawful assembly, affray, promoting enmity between groups, and disturbing religious, racial or social harmony.

Table of Contents

Offences against public tranquillity: Offences against public tranquillity refer to a range of criminal acts that disturb the peaceful conduct of public life. These offenses are defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which is the main criminal code of India. The IPC has specific provisions to deal with various forms of public disturbances, ranging from riots to affrays. In this article, we will discuss the provisions related to offences against public tranquillity under the Indian Penal Code.

Examples of Offences Against Public Tranquillity

Following are the types as well as the examples of the Offences Against Public Tranquillity. The viewers can go through the list to know what all is covered under the Offences Against Public Tranquillity.

Rioting (Section 146 of IPC)

Rioting is an offense that occurs when three or more persons assemble together with a common objective of causing violence or damage to property. The INDIAN PENAL CODE defines rioting as an offense under Section 146. The section states that anyone who participates in a riot can be punished with imprisonment for up to two years, or with a fine, or with both.

Unlawful assembly (Section 141 of IPC)

Unlawful assembly is an offense that occurs when five or more persons assemble together with a common objective of committing a crime. The IPC defines unlawful assembly as an offense under Section 141. The section states that anyone who participates in an unlawful assembly can be punished with imprisonment for up to six months, or with a fine, or with both.

Promoting enmity between different groups (Section 153A of IPC)

Promoting enmity between different groups is an offense that occurs when a person deliberately promotes disharmony, feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, linguistic, or regional groups. The IPC defines promoting enmity as an offense under Section 153A. The section states that anyone who promotes enmity between different groups can be punished with imprisonment for up to three years, or with a fine, or with both.

Outraging religious feelings (Section 295A of IPC)

Outraging religious feelings is an offense that occurs when a person deliberately insults or attempts to insult the religious beliefs or feelings of any class of citizens. The IPC defines outraging religious feelings as an offense under Section 295A. The section states that anyone who outrages religious feelings can be punished with imprisonment for up to three years, or with a fine, or with both.

Affray (Section 159 of IPC)

Affray is an offense that occurs when two or more persons engage in a public fight that disturbs the peace. The IPC defines affray as an offense under Section 159. The section states that anyone who engages in affray can be punished with imprisonment for up to one month, or with a fine, or with both.

Punishment for Offences Against Public Tranquillity

Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Offences Against Public Tranquillity are listed under Chapter VIII, Sections 141 to 160. The following is a list of these offences along with the corresponding punishment as per the IPC:

Section 141: Unlawful assembly – Imprisonment for six months, or fine, or both.
Section 142: Being a member of an unlawful assembly – Imprisonment for six months, or fine, or both.
Section 143: Punishment for unlawful assembly – Imprisonment for six months, or fine, or both.
Section 144: Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger – Imprisonment for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Section 145: Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse – Imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.
Section 146: Rioting – Imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.
Section 147: Punishment for rioting – Imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.
Section 148: Rioting, armed with a deadly weapon – Imprisonment for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Section 149: Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 150: Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join an unlawful assembly – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 151: Knowingly joining or continuing in an assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 152: Assaulting or obstructing a public servant when suppressing a riot, etc. – Imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.
Section 153: Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot – Imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both.
Section 153A: Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. – Imprisonment for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Section 153B: Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration – Imprisonment for up to five years, or fine, or both.
Section 154: Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 155: Liability of person for whose benefit an unlawful assembly is held – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 156: Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit an unlawful assembly is held – Imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.

Please note that the above list is only a summary and not a comprehensive guide to the IPC. The punishment for each offence may vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court.

Offences against public tranquillity in brief

Offences against public tranquillity are taken very seriously under the Indian Penal Code. The provisions discussed above aim to prevent and punish acts that disturb the peaceful conduct of public life. Anyone who engages in such activities can face imprisonment or fines, or both. Therefore, it is important for citizens to be aware of these provisions and to refrain from engaging in any activities that disturb public peace.

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FAQs

What are offences against public tranquillity under the Indian Penal Code?

Offences against public tranquillity are those which disturb public peace, order, and tranquillity. They are defined and punished under Chapter VIII of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

What are the different types of offences against public tranquillity?

The Indian Penal Code defines three types of offences against public tranquillity: rioting (Section 146-151), unlawful assembly (Section 141-145), and affray (Section 159).

What is rioting under the Indian Penal Code?

Rioting is defined under Section 146 of the Indian Penal Code as an act of violence or threat of violence by an unlawful assembly of five or more persons with a common object. It is punishable with imprisonment for up to two years, or with fine, or both.

What is an unlawful assembly under the Indian Penal Code?

An unlawful assembly is defined under Section 141 of the Indian Penal Code as an assembly of five or more persons with a common object to commit an offence, or to use criminal force or violence. It is punishable with imprisonment for up to six months, or with fine, or both.