Section 277 IPC: Fouling water of public spring or reservoir

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 277 IPC at a Glance

Section 277 IPC deals with fouling water of public spring or reservoir. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 279 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 279 →

Section 277 IPC Bare Act Text

277. Fouling water of public spring or reservoir

Whoever voluntarily corrupts or fouls the water of any public spring or reservoir, so as to render it less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used, 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 277, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 277 IPC in Simple Words

Section 277 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever voluntarily corrupts or fouls the water of any public spring or reservoir, so as to render it less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used.

The punishment under the IPC is 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.

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

Ingredients of Section 277 IPC

  • Voluntarily corrupting or fouling water
  • The water is that of a public spring or reservoir
  • The act renders the water less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used

Punishment Under Section 277 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

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

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

Fouling the water of a public spring or reservoir is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three months, or with fine of up to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 277 IPC

In 2017, Kuldeep ran a small fabric dyeing shed in a hill town in Almora. Villagers ordinarily used water from a nearby public spring for drinking and cooking. Instead of carting away his waste, Kuldeep voluntarily emptied buckets of chemical dye sludge and bleaching lime directly into the public spring. The discharge fouled and corrupted the spring water, giving it a bitter taste and foul smell that rendered it less fit for drinking and cooking, the purposes for which it was ordinarily used. Kuldeep is punishable under Section 277 IPC.

When Section 277 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 277 IPC does not apply when contaminants enter a public spring or reservoir by pure accident rather than through a voluntary act.
  • Section 277 IPC does not apply if the water fouled belongs to a private garden pond or private well rather than a public spring or reservoir.
  • Section 277 IPC does not apply where the act is so slight that it does not make the water less fit for its ordinary use.

Section 277 IPC in the BNS

Section 277 IPC is now covered under Section 279 BNS.

Section 277 IPC is now Section 279 BNS. The statutory definition of the offence remains unchanged, but the punishment has been increased in both limbs: the maximum term of imprisonment has increased from three months to six months, and the maximum fine has been raised from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees.

View detailed comparison (IPC 277 vs BNS 279) →

FAQs on Section 277 IPC

What does Section 277 IPC punish?▼

It punishes voluntarily corrupting or fouling the water of any public spring or reservoir so as to render it less fit for its ordinary use.

What is the punishment under Section 277 IPC?▼

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.

How has the punishment changed under Section 279 BNS?▼

Under Section 279 BNS, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased from three months to six months, and the maximum fine is raised from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees.

Does Section 277 IPC apply to private wells or tanks?▼

No. Section 277 IPC applies only to a public spring or reservoir. Fouling private water sources does not fall under this section.

Is Section 277 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 277 IPC is bailable and cognizable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 277 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 277 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 277 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·