Section 156 IPC: Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 156 IPC at a Glance
Section 156 IPC deals with liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 193(3) BNS.
No imprisonment is prescribed.
Section 156 IPC Bare Act Text
156. Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed
Whenever a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of any person who is the owner or occupier of any land respecting which such riot takes place, or who claims any interest in such land, or in the subject of any dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit therefrom, the agent or manager of such person shall be punishable with fine, if such agent or manager, having reason to believe that such riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which such riot was committed was likely to be held, shall not use all lawful means in his power to prevent such riot or assembly from taking place and for suppressing and dispersing the same.
Source: Section 156, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 156 IPC in Simple Words
Section 156 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes the agent or manager of a person for whose benefit or on whose behalf a riot is committed. That person is the owner or occupier of land in respect of which the riot takes place, or claims an interest in that land or in the subject of a dispute which gave rise to the riot, or has accepted or derived a benefit from it.
The agent or manager is punishable with fine if he has reason to believe that the riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which it was committed was likely to be held, and does not use all lawful means in his power to prevent the riot or assembly from taking place and for suppressing and dispersing it. The section prescribes fine only and fixes no amount.
The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.
Ingredients of Section 156 IPC
- A riot was committed
- The riot was committed for the benefit or on behalf of a person who is the owner or occupier of land in respect of which it took place, who claims an interest in that land or in the subject of a dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived a benefit from it
- The accused is the agent or manager of that person
- The accused had reason to believe that the riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which it was committed was likely to be held
- The accused did not use all lawful means in his power to prevent the riot or assembly from taking place and for suppressing and dispersing it
Punishment Under Section 156 IPC
No imprisonment is prescribed.
The agent or manager is punishable with fine. The section fixes no amount.
The punishment is fine only, with no imprisonment and no sum named in the section.
Example of Section 156 IPC
When Section 156 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 156 IPC does not apply when no riot actually takes place.
- Section 156 IPC does not apply if the riot was not committed on behalf of or for the benefit of the land's owner, occupier, interest-holder, or beneficiary.
- Section 156 IPC does not apply when the person charged is not the agent or manager of the person for whose benefit the riot was committed.
- Section 156 IPC does not apply if the agent or manager had no reason to believe that the riot or the unlawful assembly was likely to take place.
- Section 156 IPC does not apply where the agent or manager used all lawful means within his power to prevent the assembly or riot and to suppress and disperse it.
Section 156 IPC in the BNS
Section 156 IPC is now covered under Section 193(3) BNS.
Section 156 IPC is now Section 193(3) BNS, in the same words and with the same punishment. The BNS puts it under one heading with Section 154 IPC, now Section 193(1) BNS, and Section 155 IPC, now Section 193(2) BNS. That heading names the owner and occupier and does not mention the agent.
View detailed comparison (IPC 156 vs BNS 193(3)) →FAQs on Section 156 IPC
What does Section 156 IPC provide?▼
It punishes the agent or manager of a person for whose benefit or on whose behalf a riot is committed, where the agent or manager has reason to believe that the riot was likely to be committed or that the unlawful assembly was likely to be held, and does not use all lawful means in his power to prevent it and to suppress and disperse it.
What is the punishment under Section 156 IPC?▼
Fine. The section fixes no amount and prescribes no imprisonment.
Who is the agent or manager liable under Section 156 IPC?▼
The agent or manager of a person who is the owner or occupier of land in respect of which the riot takes place, or who claims an interest in that land or in the subject of a dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived a benefit from the riot.
How does Section 156 IPC differ from Section 155 IPC?▼
Section 155 IPC deals with the person for whose benefit or on whose behalf the riot is committed. Section 156 IPC deals with the agent or manager of that person.
Under Section 156 IPC, what must the agent or manager have reason to believe?▼
That the riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which it was committed was likely to be held.
Is an offence under Section 156 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is non-cognizable and bailable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 156 IPC?▼
Any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 156 IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 156 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·