Section 131 IPC: Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 131 IPC at a Glance

Section 131 IPC deals with abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 159 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 159 →

Section 131 IPC Bare Act Text

131. Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty
Whoever abets the committing of mutiny by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman, in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India or attempts to seduce any such officer, soldier, sailor or airman from his allegiance or his duty, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation
In this section the words “officer”, “soldier”, “sailor” and “airman” include any person subject to the Army Act, the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), the Naval Discipline Act, the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934 (34 of 1934), the Air Force Act or the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950), as the case may be.

Source: Section 131, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 131 IPC in Simple Words

Section 131 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes abetting the committing of mutiny by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India, and attempting to seduce any such person from his allegiance or his duty. The punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

The Explanation makes the section cover a person subject to the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Air Force Act. The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, and it is tried by a Court of Session.

Ingredients of Section 131 IPC

The person concerned was an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India, or a person subject to the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Air Force Act
The accused either abetted the committing of mutiny by that person, or attempted to seduce that person from his allegiance or his duty

Punishment Under Section 131 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty, carries imprisonment for life, or up to ten years, and fine.

Example of Section 131 IPC

In 2021, Prahlad met three sailors serving in the Navy of the Government of India at a port in Visakhapatnam. He handed them printed pamphlets and offered them large sums of cash to abandon their naval vessel during an upcoming coastal patrol and stage an open revolt against naval authority. The sailors rejected Prahlad's offer and immediately reported him to naval intelligence, so no uprising took place. Because Prahlad abetted the committing of mutiny by sailors in the Navy and attempted to seduce them from their duty and allegiance, Prahlad is punishable under Section 131 IPC.

When Section 131 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 131 IPC does not apply when the personnel approached are private security guards rather than members of the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India or persons subject to the military, naval or air force discipline Acts.
Section 131 IPC does not apply if a person merely discusses service grievances with armed forces personnel without abetting mutiny or trying to draw them away from their duty or allegiance.
Section 131 IPC does not apply where mutiny actually takes place as a result of the abetment, because that aggravated offence is dealt with under Section 132 IPC.

Section 131 IPC in the BNS

Section 131 IPC is now covered under Section 159 BNS.

Section 131 IPC is now Section 159 BNS, with the same words and the same punishment. The one change is that Section 159 BNS has no Explanation. The IPC Explanation, which made the section cover a person subject to the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Air Force Act, is not carried into the BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 131 vs BNS 159) →

FAQs on Section 131 IPC

What does Section 131 IPC provide?▼

It punishes abetting the committing of mutiny by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India, and attempting to seduce any such person from his allegiance or his duty.

What is the punishment under Section 131 IPC?▼

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

What does the Explanation to Section 131 IPC say?▼

It says that the words officer, soldier, sailor and airman include any person subject to the Army Act, the Army Act, 1950, the Naval Discipline Act, the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934, the Air Force Act or the Air Force Act, 1950, as the case may be.

How does Section 131 IPC differ from Section 132 IPC?▼

Section 131 IPC applies whether or not a mutiny follows. Section 132 IPC applies where the mutiny is committed in consequence of the abetment, and carries a heavier punishment.

Is an offence under Section 131 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is cognizable and non-bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 131 IPC?▼

A Court of Session.

Can an offence under Section 131 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 131 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 159 BNS.

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

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·