Section 271 IPC: Disobedience to quarantine rule

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 271 IPC at a Glance

Section 271 IPC deals with disobedience to quarantine rule. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 273 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 273 →

Section 271 IPC Bare Act Text

271. Disobedience to quarantine rule

Whoever knowingly disobeys any rule made and promulgated by the Government for putting any vessel into a state of quarantine, or for regulating the intercourse of vessels in a state of quarantine with the shore or with other vessels, or for regulating the intercourse between places where an infectious disease prevails and other places, 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 271, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 271 IPC in Simple Words

Section 271 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever knowingly disobeys any rule made and promulgated by the Government for putting any vessel into a state of quarantine, or for regulating the intercourse of vessels in quarantine with the shore or other vessels, or for regulating intercourse between places where an infectious disease prevails and other places.

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

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is non-cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 271 IPC

  • A quarantine rule made and promulgated by the Government
  • The rule is for putting a vessel into quarantine, or regulating intercourse of quarantined vessels with the shore or other vessels, or regulating intercourse between places where an infectious disease prevails and other places
  • The person disobeyed that rule
  • The disobedience was done knowingly

Punishment Under Section 271 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 ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Disobeying a quarantine rule is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 271 IPC

In 2020, during an outbreak of plague in a hill taluk near Mangaluru, the Government made and promulgated a quarantine rule prohibiting timber barges placed in quarantine at the river anchorage from transferring cargo or crew to shore boats, and restricting movement between the affected taluk and neighbouring districts. Sudhakar, who commanded a quarantined barge, read the published notification but knowingly disobeyed the rule by sending two crewmen ashore in a skiff to deliver timber and visit an unaffected village. Sudhakar is punishable under Section 271 IPC.

When Section 271 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The person crossed the boundary or moved the vessel without knowing that a quarantine rule existed.
  • The restriction was issued by a private body and was not a rule made and promulgated by the Government.
  • The rule did not concern vessel quarantine, communication with quarantined vessels, or travel between places where an infectious disease prevailed and other places.
  • The person complied with the quarantine rule and committed no breach of its terms.

Section 271 IPC in the BNS

Section 271 IPC is now covered under Section 273 BNS.

Section 271 IPC is replaced by Section 273 BNS. The BNS modernised the provision by substituting mode of transport for vessel and Section 273 BNS speaks of regulating the intercourse of any such transport in a state of quarantine without naming the shore or other vessels. The requirement that the rule be promulgated was also omitted, leaving rule made by the Government. The punishment of imprisonment for up to six months, or fine, or both remains unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 271 vs BNS 273) →

FAQs on Section 271 IPC

What does Section 271 IPC punish?▼

It punishes knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule made and promulgated by the Government concerning vessels or movement between infected places and other places.

What is the punishment under Section 271 IPC?▼

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

How does Section 273 BNS differ from Section 271 IPC?▼

Section 273 BNS expands the scope from vessels to any mode of transport and omits the word promulgated, while keeping the punishment identical.

Is Section 271 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 271 IPC is bailable and non-cognizable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 271 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 271 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 271 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 271 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is Section 273 BNS, 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 ·