Section 157 IPC: Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 157 IPC at a Glance
Section 157 IPC deals with harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 189(7) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for up to six months.
Section 157 IPC Bare Act Text
157. Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly
Whoever harbours, receives or assembles, in any house or premises in his occupation or charge, or under his control any persons knowing that such persons have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be hired, engaged or employed, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 157, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 157 IPC in Simple Words
Section 157 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes harbouring, receiving or assembling persons in a house or premises in the accused's occupation or charge, or under his control, knowing that those persons have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or fine, or both.
The offence is cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.
Ingredients of Section 157 IPC
- The accused harboured, received or assembled persons
- This was in a house or premises in the accused's occupation or charge, or under his control
- The accused knew that those persons had been hired, engaged or employed, or were about to be hired, engaged or employed
- The purpose of the hiring, engagement or employment was that they join or become members of an unlawful assembly
Punishment Under Section 157 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for up to six months.
The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Harbouring, receiving or assembling persons hired for an unlawful assembly carries imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 157 IPC
When Section 157 IPC Does Not Apply
- The person providing shelter had no knowledge that the guests were hired, engaged, or employed, or about to be hired, engaged, or employed, to join an unlawful assembly.
- The building or land where the people gathered was not occupied by the accused, in his charge, or under his control.
- The allegation against the accused is that he himself hired or employed people to join an unlawful assembly, which is dealt with by Section 150 IPC.
- The accused is one of the individuals who accepted payment or agreed to be hired for an unlawful assembly, which is covered by Section 158 IPC.
Section 157 IPC in the BNS
Section 157 IPC is now covered under Section 189(7) BNS.
Section 157 IPC is now Section 189(7) BNS, in the same words and with the same punishment. The BNS gives it no separate heading, because Section 189(7) BNS, headed Unlawful assembly, gathers Sections 141 to 145, 150, 151, 157 and 158 IPC into nine sub-sections. One related rule differs. Section 52A IPC kept Section 157 IPC out of its wider meaning of harbour, and Section 2(13) BNS, which now defines the word, carries no such exception.
View detailed comparison (IPC 157 vs BNS 189(7)) →FAQs on Section 157 IPC
What does Section 157 IPC provide?▼
It punishes harbouring, receiving or assembling persons in a house or premises in the accused's occupation or charge, or under his control, knowing that they have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly.
What is the punishment under Section 157 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or fine, or both.
What must the accused know under Section 157 IPC?▼
That the persons have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be hired, engaged or employed, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly. The section uses the word knowing alone and does not add having reason to believe.
Does the wider meaning of harbour in Section 52A IPC apply to Section 157 IPC?▼
No. Section 52A IPC gives harbour a wider meaning that takes in supplying shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, and assisting a person by any means to evade apprehension. It excepts Section 157 IPC.
How does Section 157 IPC differ from Section 150 IPC?▼
Section 150 IPC deals with the person who hires, engages, employs or promotes, or connives at the hiring, engagement or employment of any person to join or become a member of an unlawful assembly. Section 157 IPC deals with the person who harbours, receives or assembles those who have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be.
How does Section 157 IPC differ from Section 158 IPC?▼
Section 158 IPC deals with the person who is engaged or hired, or offers or attempts to be hired or engaged, to do or assist in doing any of the acts specified in Section 141 IPC. Section 157 IPC deals with the person who harbours, receives or assembles such persons.
Is an offence under Section 157 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is cognizable and bailable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 157 IPC?▼
Any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 157 IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 157 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·