Section 186 IPC: Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 186 IPC at a Glance

Section 186 IPC deals with obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 221 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to three months.

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

Section 221 →

Section 186 IPC Bare Act Text

186. Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 186, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 186 IPC in Simple Words

Section 186 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three months, 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 186 IPC

  • The person obstructed was a public servant
  • The public servant was in the discharge of his public functions
  • The accused obstructed that public servant
  • The accused did so voluntarily

Punishment Under Section 186 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to three months.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine of up to five hundred rupees alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

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

Voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his public functions carries imprisonment of either description for up to three months, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Example of Section 186 IPC

In 2016 in Dehradun, a municipal surveyor, who was a public servant, went to a residential lane to measure road boundaries in the discharge of his public functions. Gautam, a resident of the lane, did not want the measurements taken outside his courtyard. Gautam voluntarily parked his car across the lane, snatched the measuring tape, and blocked the surveyor's instruments, thereby obstructing the public servant in the discharge of his public functions. Gautam is punishable under Section 186 IPC.

When Section 186 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 186 IPC does not apply when the person who is obstructed is not a public servant.
  • Section 186 IPC does not apply when the public servant is acting in a purely private capacity or outside the discharge of his public functions.
  • Section 186 IPC does not apply when the accused's actions do not actually obstruct the public servant from performing his duty.
  • Section 186 IPC does not apply when the hindrance to the public servant is accidental rather than voluntary.

Section 186 IPC in the BNS

Section 186 IPC is now covered under Section 221 BNS.

Section 186 IPC is now Section 221 BNS, with the same title and the same offence. The only change in the words is the upper limit of the fine, which rises from five hundred rupees to two thousand and five hundred rupees. The term of imprisonment stays at three months.

View detailed comparison (IPC 186 vs BNS 221) →

FAQs on Section 186 IPC

What does Section 186 IPC provide?▼

It punishes whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions.

What is the punishment under Section 186 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to three months, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

How does Section 186 IPC differ from Section 183 IPC?▼

Section 186 IPC punishes voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his public functions. Section 183 IPC punishes resistance to the taking of property by the lawful authority of a public servant.

Whom does Section 186 IPC protect?▼

Any public servant who is in the discharge of his public functions.

Is an offence under Section 186 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 186 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 186 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 186 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 221 BNS.

Have questions about Section 186 IPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

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 ·