Section 134 IPC: Abetment of such assault, if the assault committed

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 134 IPC at a Glance

Section 134 IPC deals with abetment of such assault, if the assault committed. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 162 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 162 →

Section 134 IPC Bare Act Text

134. Abetment of such assault, if the assault committed

Whoever abets an assault by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman, in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India, on any superior officer being in the execution of his office, shall, if such assault be committed in consequence of that abetment be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 134, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 134 IPC in Simple Words

Section 134 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes abetting an assault by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India on a superior officer who is in the execution of his office, where the assault is committed in consequence of the abetment.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and fine.

The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, and it is tried by a Magistrate of the first class.

Ingredients of Section 134 IPC

  • The person who assaulted was an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India
  • The person assaulted was a superior officer who was in the execution of his office
  • The accused abetted the assault
  • The assault was committed in consequence of that abetment

Punishment Under Section 134 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years.

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Abetting an assault on a superior officer, where the assault is committed in consequence of the abetment, carries imprisonment for up to seven years and fine.

Example of Section 134 IPC

In 2017, Deepak, a canteen vendor in Guwahati, promised to cancel a large debt owed by Suraj, an airman in the Air Force of the Government of India, if Suraj physically attacked Squadron Leader Mehra while Mehra was conducting an official weapons check at the air station. Induced by Deepak's promise, Suraj shoved and struck Squadron Leader Mehra during the weapons check. Because Deepak abetted an assault by an airman in the Air Force on a superior officer in the execution of his office and the assault was committed in consequence of that abetment, Deepak is punishable under Section 134 IPC.

When Section 134 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 134 IPC does not apply when the abetted assault does not actually take place, in which case Section 133 IPC applies instead.
  • Section 134 IPC does not apply if the assault is carried out due to a sudden personal quarrel rather than as a consequence of the abetment.
  • Section 134 IPC does not apply where the superior officer was not discharging his official duties at the time of the assault.
  • Section 134 IPC does not apply if the person committing the assault is not an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India.

Section 134 IPC in the BNS

Section 134 IPC is now covered under Section 162 BNS.

Section 134 IPC is now Section 162 BNS, with the same words and the same punishment. The BNS title drops the word the before assault.

View detailed comparison (IPC 134 vs BNS 162) →

FAQs on Section 134 IPC

What does Section 134 IPC provide?▼

It punishes abetting an assault by an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of the Government of India on a superior officer in the execution of his office, where the assault is committed in consequence of the abetment.

What is the punishment under Section 134 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and fine.

How does Section 134 IPC differ from Section 133 IPC?▼

Section 133 IPC applies whether or not the assault is committed, and carries up to three years. Section 134 IPC applies where the assault is committed in consequence of the abetment, and carries up to seven years.

Must the assault actually take place for Section 134 IPC?▼

Yes. The section applies only where the assault is committed in consequence of the abetment.

Is an offence under Section 134 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is cognizable and non-bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 134 IPC?▼

A Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 134 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 134 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 162 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: 17 Oct 2026 ·