Section 280 IPC: Rash navigation of vessel

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 280 IPC at a Glance

Section 280 IPC deals with rash navigation of vessel. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 282 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 282 →

Section 280 IPC Bare Act Text

280. Rash navigation of vessel

Whoever navigates any vessel in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 280, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 280 IPC in Simple Words

Section 280 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever navigates any vessel in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person.

The punishment under the IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand 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 280 IPC

  • Navigating any vessel
  • Operating the vessel in a rash or negligent manner
  • The navigation endangers human life, or is likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person

Punishment Under Section 280 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

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

Rash navigation of a vessel is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine of up to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 280 IPC

In May 2019, Madhav piloted a motorized cargo barge across Chilika Lake in Odisha. Eager to finish his delivery before dusk, Madhav steered the heavy vessel at high speed straight through a marked bathing zone near a lakeside village without keeping a proper lookout. The barge swept dangerously close to a wooden jetty, forcing several bathers and dock workers to dive aside to avoid being struck by the hull. Because Madhav navigated the vessel so rashly as to endanger human life and be likely to cause hurt to others, Madhav is punishable under Section 280 IPC.

When Section 280 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 280 IPC does not apply when the accused was merely a passenger on board and was not navigating the vessel.
  • Section 280 IPC does not apply when the vessel was navigated with due care and caution, without any rashness or negligence.
  • Section 280 IPC does not apply when the manner of navigation neither endangered human life nor created any likelihood of hurt or injury to another person.
  • Section 280 IPC does not apply when the incident involved a land vehicle rather than a water vessel.

Section 280 IPC in the BNS

Section 280 IPC is now covered under Section 282 BNS.

Section 280 IPC corresponds to Section 282 BNS. The definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of six months remain unchanged. The maximum fine has increased from one thousand rupees under Section 280 IPC to ten thousand rupees under Section 282 BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 280 vs BNS 282) →

FAQs on Section 280 IPC

What does Section 280 IPC punish?▼

Section 280 IPC punishes navigating any vessel in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person.

What is the punishment under Section 280 IPC?▼

The punishment under Section 280 IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

What is the punishment under Section 282 BNS?▼

The punishment under Section 282 BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Does Section 280 IPC require that an accident or hurt actually occur?▼

No. The offence is complete when the vessel is navigated rashly or negligently so as to endanger human life or create a likelihood of hurt or injury, regardless of whether actual harm results.

Is Section 280 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 280 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 280 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 280 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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