Section 152 CrPC: Prevention of injury to public property

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 152 CrPC at a Glance

Section 152 CrPC deals with prevention of injury to public property. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 171 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 171 →

What Section 152 CrPC Says

152. Prevention of injury to public property

A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his view to any public property, movable or immovable, or the removal or injury of any public landmark or buoy or other mark used for navigation.

Source: Section 152, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 152 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 152 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 deals with a police officer stepping in to prevent injury to public property. The officer may interpose, meaning step in, on the officer's own authority.

One case is an injury to any public property, movable or immovable, that is attempted in the officer's view. The other case is the removal or injury of a public landmark, a buoy or any other mark used for navigation.

When Section 152 CrPC Applies

  • A police officer may of his own authority interpose.
  • The injury must be one attempted to be committed in the view of the police officer.
  • The injury may be to any public property, movable or immovable.
  • The police officer may also interpose to prevent the removal or injury of any public landmark or buoy or other mark used for navigation.

Example of Section 152 CrPC

Rajesh is a police officer. In the view of Rajesh, Vikram attempts to injure a public streetlight, which is public property. Under Section 152 CrPC, Rajesh may of Rajesh's own authority interpose to prevent the injury attempted to be committed by Vikram.

When Section 152 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 152 CrPC speaks of a police officer interposing to prevent an injury to public property. It does not deal with an arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences, which is the subject of Section 151 CrPC.
  • Section 152 CrPC speaks of a police officer interposing on his own authority. It does not deal with the duty of police to prevent cognizable offences, which is the subject of Section 149 CrPC.

Section 152 CrPC Under BNSS 171: What Changed

Section 152 CrPC is now covered under Section 171 BNSS.

Section 171 BNSS has the same heading as Section 152 CrPC and the same text, except for the wording below. Section 171 BNSS reads any public landmark, buoy or other mark where Section 152 CrPC read any public landmark or buoy or other mark.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 152 vs BNSS 171) →

FAQs on Section 152 CrPC

When may a police officer interpose under Section 152 CrPC?▼

A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his view to any public property, movable or immovable.

What else may a police officer interpose to prevent under Section 152 CrPC?▼

A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent the removal or injury of any public landmark or buoy or other mark used for navigation.

Whose view does Section 152 CrPC speak of?▼

Section 152 CrPC speaks of any injury attempted to be committed in his view, which is the view of the police officer who may of his own authority interpose.

Where is Section 152 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?▼

From 1 July 2024, Section 152 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 171 BNSS.

Have questions about Section 152 CrPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, 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, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 26 Oct 2026 ·