Section 151 IPC: Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 151 IPC at a Glance

Section 151 IPC deals with knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 189(5) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to six months.

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

BNS Equivalent

Section 189(5) →

Section 151 IPC Bare Act Text

151. Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse
Whoever knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after such assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
Explanation
If the assembly is an unlawful assembly within the meaning of section 141, the offender will be punishable under section 145.

Source: Section 151, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 151 IPC in Simple Words

Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a person who knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after the assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or fine, or both.

If the assembly is an unlawful assembly within the meaning of Section 141 IPC, the Explanation provides that the offender will be punishable under Section 145 IPC. The offence is cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 151 IPC

An assembly of five or more persons
The assembly is likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace
The assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse
The accused knowingly joins or continues in the assembly after the command

Punishment Under Section 151 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to six months.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

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

Knowingly joining or continuing in an assembly of five or more persons after it has been lawfully commanded to disperse carries imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 151 IPC

In 2022 in Shimla, twelve commuters gathered at a bus terminal to protest a fare hike. They had no common object under Section 141 IPC and were not an unlawful assembly, but their heated argument with drivers was likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace. A police officer in charge of the station lawfully commanded the assembly to disperse. Seven commuters left, while four remained with Ramesh, who knowingly continued in the assembly, and Vivek, who knowingly joined it after hearing the command. Ramesh and Vivek are punishable under Section 151 IPC.

When Section 151 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 151 IPC does not apply when the gathering consists of fewer than five persons.
Section 151 IPC does not apply when the assembly is peaceful and not likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace.
Section 151 IPC does not apply when no lawful command to disperse has been given to the assembly.
Section 151 IPC does not apply when the accused did not knowingly join or remain in the assembly after the command to disperse was issued.
Section 151 IPC does not apply when the assembly is an unlawful assembly under Section 141 IPC, because the Explanation makes the offender punishable under Section 145 IPC instead.

Section 151 IPC in the BNS

Section 151 IPC is now covered under Section 189(5) BNS.

Section 151 IPC is now Section 189(5) BNS, with the same words in the lead and the same punishment. Only the Explanation changes. It refers to sub-sections 1 and 3 of Section 189(5) BNS in place of Sections 141 and 145 IPC, and it reads shall be punishable where the IPC reads will be punishable. The BNS gives the sub-section no title of its own, and it sits under Section 189(5) BNS, headed Unlawful assembly.

View detailed comparison (IPC 151 vs BNS 189(5)) →

FAQs on Section 151 IPC

What does Section 151 IPC provide?▼

It punishes knowingly joining or continuing in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after that assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse.

What is the punishment under Section 151 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or fine, or both.

How does Section 151 IPC differ from Section 145 IPC?▼

Section 151 IPC covers any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace and carries up to six months. Section 145 IPC covers joining or continuing in an unlawful assembly, knowing that it has been commanded in the manner prescribed by law to disperse, and carries up to two years, or fine, or both.

What does the Explanation to Section 151 IPC say?▼

It provides that if the assembly is an unlawful assembly within the meaning of Section 141 IPC, the offender will be punishable under Section 145 IPC.

Is an offence under Section 151 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 151 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 151 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 151 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 189(5) BNS. The lead and the punishment are the same, and only the Explanation changes.

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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 ·