Section 269 IPC: Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 269 IPC at a Glance

Section 269 IPC deals with negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 271 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 271 →

Section 269 IPC Bare Act Text

269. Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life

Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, 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 269, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 269 IPC in Simple Words

Section 269 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.

The offence is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 269 IPC

  • Doing an act unlawfully or negligently
  • The act is in fact likely to spread the infection of a disease dangerous to life
  • The person knows or has reason to believe that the act is likely to spread that infection

Punishment Under Section 269 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

Fine with no fixed limit, alone or with imprisonment.

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

A negligent act likely to spread the infection of a disease dangerous to life is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 269 IPC

In 2020, Dinesh was diagnosed with contagious pulmonary tuberculosis at a clinic in Coimbatore, and his physician explained that coughing in crowded rooms would transmit the deadly infection. Despite knowing that his illness was infectious and dangerous to life, Dinesh negligently boarded a packed suburban bus without a mask and spent two hours coughing openly among fellow commuters. His negligent act was likely to spread the infection of a disease dangerous to life. Dinesh is punishable under Section 269 IPC.

When Section 269 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The person acted lawfully and took all reasonable care and precautions.
  • The conduct was not actually likely to transmit the infectious disease.
  • The person neither knew nor had any reason to believe that the act could spread the infection.
  • The illness involved was a mild ailment that was not dangerous to human life.

Section 269 IPC in the BNS

Section 269 IPC is now covered under Section 271 BNS.

Section 269 IPC is now Section 271 BNS. The title, the statutory wording, and the punishment of imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both remain word for word the same.

View detailed comparison (IPC 269 vs BNS 271) →

FAQs on Section 269 IPC

What does Section 269 IPC punish?▼

It punishes unlawfully or negligently doing any act that is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, where the person knows or has reason to believe that likelihood.

What is the punishment under Section 269 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.

How does Section 269 IPC differ from Section 270 IPC?▼

Section 269 IPC punishes doing the act unlawfully or negligently. Section 270 IPC punishes doing it malignantly and carries higher imprisonment extending to two years, or fine, or both.

Is Section 269 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 269 IPC is bailable and cognizable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 269 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 269 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 269 IPC is not listed under Section 320 CrPC and cannot be compounded.

Where is Section 269 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is Section 271 BNS, located in Chapter XV.

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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 ·