Section 281 IPC: Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 281 IPC at a Glance

Section 281 IPC deals with exhibition of false light, mark or buoy. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 283 BNS.

Punishment

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

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 283 →

Section 281 IPC Bare Act Text

281. Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
Whoever exhibits any false light, mark or buoy, intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 281, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 281 IPC in Simple Words

Section 281 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever exhibits any false light, mark or buoy, intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator.

The penalty under the IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

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

Ingredients of Section 281 IPC

Exhibiting any false light, mark or buoy
Intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator

Punishment Under Section 281 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

Fine with no fixed limit, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Exhibiting a false light, mark or buoy is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 281 IPC

In November 2021, following a dispute with rival boat operators in the Hooghly estuary in West Bengal, Pranav anchored a brightly painted counterfeit channel buoy over a shallow sandbank during low tide. Pranav placed the false buoy there intending to mislead river pilots into believing that the shallow stretch was the deep navigable channel. The pilot of a passing mail launch spotted the unfamiliar buoy and altered course toward the sandbank before depth readings alerted him to the danger. Because Pranav exhibited a false buoy intending to mislead a navigator, Pranav is punishable under Section 281 IPC.

When Section 281 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 281 IPC does not apply when the accused did not display or place any false light, mark, or buoy.
Section 281 IPC does not apply when the light, mark, or buoy displayed was an authorized and true navigational aid.
Section 281 IPC does not apply when a person displayed a light on shore for domestic or festive use without intending or knowing that it was likely to mislead any navigator.

Section 281 IPC in the BNS

Section 281 IPC is now covered under Section 283 BNS.

Section 281 IPC corresponds to Section 283 BNS. The definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of seven years remain identical. Under Section 283 BNS, fine is no longer an alternative penalty but is mandatory alongside imprisonment, and must not be less than ten thousand rupees.

View detailed comparison (IPC 281 vs BNS 283) →

FAQs on Section 281 IPC

What does Section 281 IPC punish?▼

Section 281 IPC punishes exhibiting any false light, mark or buoy, intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator.

What is the punishment under Section 281 IPC?▼

The punishment under Section 281 IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

What is the punishment under Section 283 BNS?▼

The punishment under Section 283 BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees.

Does Section 281 IPC require that a ship or vessel be wrecked?▼

No. The offence requires only exhibiting a false light, mark or buoy with intent or knowledge that it is likely to mislead any navigator, regardless of whether a vessel actually suffers damage or wreck.

Is Section 281 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 281 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 281 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 281 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 ·