Indian Penal Code, 1860

Statements conducing to public mischief.—

Section

505

Punishment

Imprisonment up to Three Year(s) + Fine

Cognizable

Cognizable

Bailable

Non-bailable

Compoundable

Non-Compoundable (Refer to CrPC 320 for exceptions)

Trial Court

Magistrate First Class

Bare Act Text

505. Statements conducing to public mischief.— (1)Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report,—(a)with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of India to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such; or(b)with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility; or(c)with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community,shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.(2)Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.— Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing rumour or alarming news with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different reli-gious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.(3)Offence under sub-section (2) committed in place of worship, etc.— Whoever commits an offence specified in sub-section (2) in any place of worship or in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.(Exception)— It does not amount to an offence, within the meaning of this section when the person making, publishing or circulating any such statement, rumour or report, has reasonable grounds for believing that such statement, rumour or report is true and makes, publishes or circulates it in good faith and without any such intent as aforesaid.
According to the official bare act, this legal offense is defined as: 505. Statements conducing to public mischief.— (1)Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report,—(a)with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of India to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such; or(b)with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility; or(c)with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community,shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.(2)Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.— Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing rumour or alarming news with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different reli-gious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.(3)Offence under sub-section (2) committed in place of worship, etc.— Whoever commits an offence specified in sub-section (2) in any place of worship or in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.(Exception)— It does not amount to an offence, within the meaning of this section when the person making, publishing or circulating any such statement, rumour or report, has reasonable grounds for believing that such statement, rumour or report is true and makes, publishes or circulates it in good faith and without any such intent as aforesaid.
The punishment for this specific offense is outlined under the law as: Imprisonment up to Three Year(s) + Fine
Under the Indian Penal Code, this specific offense is classified as a Non-bailable offense.
The legal status regarding police arrest without a warrant is that this offense isCognizable.
Cases pertaining to this specific IPC section are triable by the Magistrate First Class.
The compoundable nature of this offense, meaning whether the parties can settle it out of court, is classified as: Non-Compoundable (Refer to CrPC 320 for exceptions).
Section (dhara) 505
Disclaimer:

This article is for general legal information only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please consult a qualified advocate for your specific case.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top