Section 184 IPC: Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 184 IPC at a Glance

Section 184 IPC deals with obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 219 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or fine, or both.

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

Section 219 →

Section 184 IPC Bare Act Text

184. Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant

Whoever intentionally obstructs any sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of any public servant, as such, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 184, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 184 IPC in Simple Words

Section 184 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a person who intentionally obstructs any sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to one month, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both. The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 184 IPC

  • Property was offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such
  • There was a sale of that property
  • The accused obstructed that sale
  • The accused did so intentionally

Punishment Under Section 184 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or fine, or both.

Fine

Fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

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

Obstructing a sale of property offered for sale by the authority of a public servant is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to one month, or with fine of up to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 184 IPC

In 2021 in Kochi, a customs superintendent, acting in his official capacity as a public servant with lawful authority, offered confiscated timber for public sale at a port warehouse. Nikhil, the former owner of the timber, wanted to prevent the sale from taking place. During the sale proceedings, Nikhil intentionally cut off the electricity to the warehouse and locked the entrance gates so buyers could not participate, thereby obstructing the sale of the property. Nikhil is punishable under Section 184 IPC.

When Section 184 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 184 IPC does not apply when the sale is conducted by a private auctioneer rather than under the lawful authority of a public servant acting as such.
  • Section 184 IPC does not apply when the accused's conduct does not actually obstruct the sale of the property.
  • Section 184 IPC does not apply when the disruption to the sale is accidental and not intentional.
  • Section 184 IPC does not apply when a person resists the initial seizure of property by a public servant rather than obstructing its sale, as that falls under Section 183 IPC.

Section 184 IPC in the BNS

Section 184 IPC is now covered under Section 219 BNS.

Section 184 IPC is now Section 219 BNS, with the same title. The words are the same, except that the upper limit of the fine is raised from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees. The imprisonment of up to one month is unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 184 vs BNS 219) →

FAQs on Section 184 IPC

What does Section 184 IPC provide?▼

It punishes intentionally obstructing any sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such.

What is the punishment under Section 184 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to one month, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

How does Section 184 IPC differ from Section 185 IPC?▼

Section 184 IPC punishes obstructing the sale of property offered for sale by the authority of a public servant. Section 185 IPC punishes an illegal purchase of or bid for such property.

What must the accused intend under Section 184 IPC?▼

The accused must intentionally obstruct the sale of property offered for sale by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such.

Is an offence under Section 184 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 184 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 184 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 184 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 219 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: 16 Oct 2026 ·