Section 284 BNS: Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 284 BNS at a Glance
Section 284 BNS deals with conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 282 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months under Section 284 BNS.
Section 284 BNS Bare Act Text
284. Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
Whoever knowingly or negligently conveys, or causes to be conveyed for hire, any person by water in any vessel, when that vessel is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Source: Section 284, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 284 BNS in Simple Words
Section 284 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) this section deals with a person who carries another person by water for hire in a vessel that is unsafe, or so loaded that it becomes unsafe. It applies to the person in charge of the vessel, and in practice can include the owner, master, or operator who knowingly allows the trip in unsafe conditions. The law is aimed at preventing avoidable accidents on rivers, lakes, ferries, and other water routes. To attract liability, it is not enough that an accident happened.
The prosecution must show that the vessel was unsafe or overloaded, and that the accused knew or had reason to believe this while still undertaking the transport for payment. The section matters because water transport often involves many passengers and little room for error. It creates criminal responsibility where a person puts passengers at risk for profit, even if no injury actually occurs.
Ingredients of Section 284 BNS
- Conveying or causing to be conveyed any person by water in a vessel for hire
- The vessel being in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that person
- Acting knowingly or negligently
Punishment Under Section 284 BNS
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months under Section 284 BNS.
Fine which may extend to five thousand rupees under Section 284 BNS.
Section 284 BNS prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or both.
Example of Section 284 BNS
When Section 284 BNS Does Not Apply
- The person was not conveyed for hire
- The state or loading of the vessel was not such as to endanger the life of any person conveyed
- The person conveying or causing the conveyance did not act knowingly or negligently
Section 284 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 284 BNS replaces Section 282 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 282 IPC corresponds to Section 284 BNS. The definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of six months remain unchanged. The maximum fine has increased from one thousand rupees under Section 282 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 284 BNS.
View IPC Section 282 →FAQs on Section 284 BNS
Does Section 284 BNS apply if no accident happened?▼
Yes. The offence is about knowingly carrying passengers in unsafe conditions, not waiting for a mishap. If the vessel was unsafe or overloaded and the legal ingredients are proved, liability can still arise.
Who can be punished under Section 284 BNS?▼
Usually the person who is responsible for the transport, such as the owner, master, or operator of the vessel. The key question is whether that person allowed the journey for hire despite knowing, or having reason to know, that the vessel was unsafe.
Is Section 284 BNS a serious criminal offence?▼
It is a relatively minor BNS offence compared with offences causing injury or death, but it is still a criminal case. Police can register it, and conviction can lead to jail, fine, or both.
Under Section 284 BNS, what if the boat was overloaded because passengers forced their way in?▼
That depends on the facts. If the operator had control over boarding and still allowed the overload, the section may apply. If the overload happened without the operator's knowledge or ability to prevent it, the defence becomes stronger.
Have questions about Section 284 BNS?
Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.
Ask NyayGuru →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 ·