Section 154 IPC: Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 154 IPC at a Glance
Section 154 IPC deals with owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 193(1) BNS.
None. The section provides for fine only.
Section 154 IPC Bare Act Text
154. Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held
Whenever any unlawful assembly or riot takes place, the owner or occupier of the land upon which such unlawful assembly is held, or such riot is committed, and any person having or claiming an interest in such land, shall be punishable with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, if he or his agent or manager, knowing that such offence is being or has been committed, or having reason to believe it is likely to be committed, do not give the earliest notice thereof in his or their power to the principal officer at the nearest police-station, and do not, in the case of his or their having reason to believe that it was about to be committed, use all lawful means in his or their power to prevent it and, in the event of its taking place, do not use all lawful means in his or their power to disperse or suppress the riot or unlawful assembly.
Source: Section 154, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 154 IPC in Simple Words
Section 154 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes the owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held or a riot is committed, and any person having or claiming an interest in that land, with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees. The fine follows if he or his agent or manager, knowing that the offence is being or has been committed or having reason to believe it is likely to be committed, does not give the earliest notice in his or their power to the principal officer at the nearest police-station.
The fine also follows if he or they do not use all lawful means in their power to prevent it where there was reason to believe it was about to be committed and do not, if it takes place, use all lawful means in their power to disperse or suppress the riot or unlawful assembly. The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.
Ingredients of Section 154 IPC
- An unlawful assembly or riot takes place, with the assembly held or the riot committed on the land
- The accused is the owner or occupier of that land, or a person having or claiming an interest in it
- The accused, or his agent or manager, knew that the offence was being or had been committed, or had reason to believe it was likely to be committed
- The accused, or his agent or manager, did not give the earliest notice in his or their power to the principal officer at the nearest police-station
- Where there was reason to believe it was about to be committed, they did not use all lawful means in their power to prevent it
- In the event of its taking place, they did not use all lawful means in their power to disperse or suppress the riot or unlawful assembly
Punishment Under Section 154 IPC
None. The section provides for fine only.
Fine not exceeding one thousand rupees.
The punishment under Section 154 IPC is a fine of up to one thousand rupees and no imprisonment. The First Schedule to the CrPC makes the offence non-cognizable and bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Example of Section 154 IPC
When Section 154 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 154 IPC does not apply when neither an unlawful assembly nor a riot actually takes place on the land.
- Section 154 IPC does not apply if the person accused is not the owner or occupier of the land and Neither has nor claims any interest in it.
- Section 154 IPC does not apply when neither the landowner or occupier nor his agent or manager knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful assembly or riot was likely to occur or was taking place.
- Section 154 IPC does not apply where the owner, occupier, or manager promptly notifies the principal officer at the nearest police station and uses all lawful means in his power to prevent, suppress, and disperse the gathering.
Section 154 IPC in the BNS
Section 154 IPC is now covered under Section 193(1) BNS.
Section 154 IPC is now Section 193(1) BNS, with a longer title and one change of words. The fine is the same. The BNS joins Sections 155 and 156 IPC to it as Section 193(2) BNS and Section 193(3) BNS under a single title, Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot takes place. The IPC speaks of the principal officer at the nearest police-station and the BNS speaks of the officer in charge at the nearest police station.
View detailed comparison (IPC 154 vs BNS 193(1)) →FAQs on Section 154 IPC
What does Section 154 IPC provide?▼
It punishes the owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held or a riot is committed, and any person having or claiming an interest in that land, with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, where he or his agent or manager does not give the earliest notice to the police or does not use all lawful means to prevent it or to disperse or suppress it.
What is the punishment under Section 154 IPC?▼
Fine not exceeding one thousand rupees. The section provides no imprisonment.
Who is liable under Section 154 IPC?▼
The owner or occupier of the land, and any person having or claiming an interest in it. The section applies where he or his agent or manager does not give the earliest notice in his or their power to the principal officer at the nearest police-station.
What knowledge does Section 154 IPC require?▼
That he or his agent or manager knew that the offence was being or had been committed, or had reason to believe it was likely to be committed.
How does Section 154 IPC differ from Section 155 IPC?▼
Section 154 IPC reaches the owner or occupier of the land, and any person having or claiming an interest in it, for not giving notice and not using lawful means when an unlawful assembly or riot takes place there. Section 155 IPC reaches a person for whose benefit or on whose behalf a riot is committed, if he or his agent or manager, having reason to believe the riot was likely to be committed, does not use all lawful means to prevent it.
Is an offence under Section 154 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is non-cognizable and bailable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 154 IPC?▼
Any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 154 IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 154 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·