Section 282 IPC: Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 282 IPC at a Glance

Section 282 IPC deals with conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 284 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 284 →

Section 282 IPC Bare Act Text

282. Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel

Whoever knowingly or negligently conveys, or causes to be conveyed for hire, any person by water in any vessel, when that vessel is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that 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 282, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 282 IPC in Simple Words

Section 282 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes knowingly or negligently conveying, or causing to be conveyed for hire, any person by water in any vessel, when that vessel is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that 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 282 IPC

  • Conveying, or causing to be conveyed, any person by water in any vessel
  • The conveyance was for hire
  • The vessel was in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that person
  • The accused acted knowingly or negligently

Punishment Under Section 282 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 ⓘ

Conveying a person by water for hire in an unsafe or overloaded 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 282 IPC

In October 2018, Raghav owned a fibreglass motor launch at Panaji in Goa and offered paid sightseeing trips by water. Although a mechanic had warned Raghav that the launch had deep hull cracks and a broken bilge pump, Raghav collected ticket money from twelve tourists and conveyed them out into coastal waters. The damaged vessel listed heavily in the swell, endangering the lives of everyone aboard. Because Raghav knowingly conveyed persons for hire by water in a vessel whose unsafe state endangered their lives, Raghav is punishable under Section 282 IPC.

When Section 282 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 282 IPC does not apply when passengers were carried on the vessel free of charge and not for hire.
  • Section 282 IPC does not apply when the vessel was seaworthy and loaded within safe limits so that no person's life was endangered.
  • Section 282 IPC does not apply when the defect in the vessel was a latent flaw that could not be discovered despite reasonable care and inspection, so there was neither knowledge nor negligence.
  • Section 282 IPC does not apply when only cargo or goods were transported on the vessel without any person being conveyed.

Section 282 IPC in the BNS

Section 282 IPC is now covered under Section 284 BNS.

Section 282 IPC corresponds to Section 284 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 282 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 284 BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 282 vs BNS 284) →

FAQs on Section 282 IPC

What does Section 282 IPC punish?▼

Section 282 IPC punishes whoever knowingly or negligently conveys, or causes to be conveyed for hire, any person by water in any vessel, when that vessel is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that person.

What is the punishment under Section 282 IPC?▼

The punishment under Section 282 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 284 BNS?▼

The punishment under Section 284 BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Does Section 282 IPC apply if the passengers were carried free of charge?▼

No. The conveyance must be for hire. Carrying a person without any fare or hire, however unsafe or overloaded the vessel may be, does not attract Section 282 IPC.

Does Section 282 IPC require an actual accident or capsizing to occur?▼

No. The offence is complete when a person is conveyed for hire in a vessel whose unsafe state or overloading endangers that person's life, even if the trip finishes without physical harm.

Is Section 282 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 282 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 282 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 282 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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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 ·