Section 219 BNS: Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 219 BNS at a Glance

Section 219 BNS deals with obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 184 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to one month.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 184 →

Section 219 BNS Bare Act Text

219. Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant

Whoever intentionally obstructs any sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of any public servant, as such, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 219, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 219 BNS in Simple Words

Section 219 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with conduct that interferes with a sale of property when that sale has been ordered or authorised by a public servant. In simple terms, if the law has allowed a property to be sold, a person cannot lawfully block that sale by wrongful acts such as obstruction, interference, or other conduct meant to prevent the sale from going through. This provision can apply to any person who knowingly tries to stop such a sale.

It is meant to protect lawful auctions and sales conducted under public authority, including sales ordered in official proceedings. The practical purpose is to ensure that public process is not defeated by private resistance, pressure, or disruption. If a person has a grievance about the sale, the proper remedy is to challenge it through law, not to obstruct it on the ground.

Ingredients of Section 219 BNS

  • Property offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such
  • Obstruction of the sale of that property by the accused
  • The obstruction was intentional

Punishment Under Section 219 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to one month.

Fine

Fine of up to five hundred rupees under the IPC, and up to five thousand rupees under the BNS, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Intentionally obstructing a sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant carries imprisonment of either description for up to one month, or fine, or both. The fine limit is five hundred rupees under the BNS and five thousand rupees under the BNS.

Example of Section 219 BNS

A revenue officer lawfully offers a seized scooter for sale at an auction held in the course of her duty. Tarun wants the auction stopped. He stands in front of the scooter and keeps the bidders away from the officer so that no bid can be made. Tarun is liable under Section 219 BNS for intentionally obstructing the sale.

When Section 219 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The property was not offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such
  • The accused did not obstruct the sale
  • The obstruction was not intentional
  • The act is offering resistance to the taking of property by the lawful authority of a public servant, which is punished under Section 218 BNS
  • The act is an illegal purchase of or bid for property offered for sale by the authority of a public servant, which is punished under Section 220 BNS

Section 219 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 219 BNS replaces Section 184 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 184 IPC is now Section 219 BNS, with the same title. The words are the same, except that the upper limit of the fine is raised from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees. The imprisonment of up to one month is unchanged.

View IPC Section 184 →

FAQs on Section 219 BNS

What kind of sale is covered under Section 219 BNS?▼

The section applies when property is being sold under the authority of a public servant, such as in an official sale or auction. It does not cover a private sale between individuals. The key point is that the sale must have legal backing from a public authority.

Under Section 219 BNS, can a person challenge the sale instead of stopping it?▼

Yes. If someone believes the sale is illegal or unfair, the proper course is to use legal remedies. Physical obstruction or deliberate interference can attract liability under this section.

Is Section 219 BNS a serious criminal offence?▼

It is a minor offence under the BNS. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to one month, or fine up to Rs. 5,000, or both. In practice, it is treated as a relatively light offence.

Who can be prosecuted under Section 219 BNS?▼

Any person who intentionally obstructs the authorised sale can be proceeded against. The person need not be the owner of the property. What matters is the wrongful act of obstruction.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·