Section 225 IPC: Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 225 IPC at a Glance
Section 225 IPC deals with resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person. It is cognizable; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 263 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for up to two years in the ordinary case; up to three years if the person was charged with an offence carrying life or ten years; up to seven years if charged with a capital offence or sentenced to life or ten years or more; and imprisonment for life or up to ten years if the person was under sentence of death.
Section 225 IPC Bare Act Text
225. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
Whoever intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; or, if the person to be apprehended, or the person rescued or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is liable under the sentence of a Court of Justice, or by virtue of a commutation of such a sentence, to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment, for a term of ten years, or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is under sentence of death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 225, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 225 IPC in Simple Words
Section 225 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person who intentionally offers resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of another person for an offence, or who rescues or attempts to rescue another person from custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence. The sentence is graduated according to the gravity of the accusation or conviction against the person sought to be arrested or rescued. In the ordinary case, imprisonment of either description extends up to two years, or fine, or both.
If that person is charged with an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or for ten years, the term extends to three years and fine. If charged with a capital offence, or already sentenced to life imprisonment or ten years or upwards, the term extends to seven years and fine. If under sentence of death, the offender faces imprisonment for life or imprisonment for up to ten years, and fine.
The offence is cognizable, non-compoundable, bailable only in the ordinary case, and triable by the Court of Session where the person is under sentence of death, by Any Magistrate in the ordinary case, and by a Magistrate of the first class in all other cases.
Ingredients of Section 225 IPC
- The apprehension of another person for an offence was lawful, or that person was lawfully detained in custody for an offence
- The accused intentionally offered resistance or illegal obstruction to such apprehension, or rescued or attempted to rescue that person from such custody
Punishment Under Section 225 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for up to two years in the ordinary case; up to three years if the person was charged with an offence carrying life or ten years; up to seven years if charged with a capital offence or sentenced to life or ten years or more; and imprisonment for life or up to ten years if the person was under sentence of death.
In the ordinary case the court may impose imprisonment, or fine, or both; in the aggravated tiers the offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment.
- Bailable: Bailable in the ordinary case; non-bailable if the person is charged with or sentenced to capital punishment, imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for ten years or upwards
Resisting the lawful apprehension of another person or rescuing him from lawful custody carries imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both, in the ordinary case. The punishment rises by tier to imprisonment for life or up to ten years, and fine, where the person is under sentence of death.
Example of Section 225 IPC
When Section 225 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 225 IPC does not apply if the arrest or detention of the other person is unlawful, such as where the arresting person lacks legal authority.
- Section 225 IPC does not apply when the other person is being apprehended or detained for a civil default or other non-criminal matter rather than for an offence.
- Section 225 IPC does not apply where the accused resists his own apprehension or escapes from his own custody without rescuing or obstructing the arrest of another person.
- Section 225 IPC does not apply if the obstruction is accidental and not an intentional act of resistance, illegal obstruction, or rescue.
Section 225 IPC in the BNS
Section 225 IPC is now covered under Section 263 BNS.
Section 225 IPC is now Section 263 BNS. The BNS arranges the five punishment tiers into lettered clauses a to e, and substitutes Court for Court of Justice in clause d, maintaining identical statutory elements and penalties.
View detailed comparison (IPC 225 vs BNS 263) →FAQs on Section 225 IPC
What does Section 225 IPC punish?▼
It punishes any person who intentionally offers resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of another person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue him from lawful custody.
What is the punishment in the ordinary case under Section 225 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Under Section 225 IPC, what is the punishment if the person was charged with an offence carrying life or ten years imprisonment?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and the offender shall also be liable to fine.
Under Section 225 IPC, what is the punishment if the person was charged with a capital offence or sentenced to life imprisonment?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender shall also be liable to fine.
Under Section 225 IPC, what is the punishment if the person was under sentence of death?▼
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and the offender shall also be liable to fine.
Is an offence under Section 225 IPC bailable?▼
It is bailable in the ordinary case, but non-bailable in all aggravated tiers where the person is charged with or sentenced to life imprisonment, death, or ten years imprisonment or upwards.
Which court tries an offence under Section 225 IPC?▼
The Court of Session tries cases where the person was under sentence of death, Any Magistrate tries the ordinary case, and a Magistrate of the first class tries all other tiers.
Where is Section 225 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 263 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·