Section 283 IPC: Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 283 IPC at a Glance

Section 283 IPC deals with danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 285 BNS.

Punishment

None. The section prescribes fine only.

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

BNS Equivalent

Section 285 →

Section 283 IPC Bare Act Text

283. Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

Source: Section 283, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 283 IPC in Simple Words

Section 283 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation.

The offence is punishable with fine only, which may extend to two hundred rupees under the IPC.

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

Ingredients of Section 283 IPC

Doing any act, or omitting to take order with any property in possession or under charge
The act or omission causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person
The danger, obstruction or injury is caused in any public way or public line of navigation

Punishment Under Section 283 IPC

Imprisonment

None. The section prescribes fine only.

Fine

Fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

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

Causing danger, obstruction or injury in a public way or line of navigation is punishable with fine only, which may extend to two hundred rupees.

Example of Section 283 IPC

In August 2020, Sridhar owned a timber yard beside a public canal in Alappuzha, Kerala, which served as a public line of navigation. Sridhar moored a wide raft of cut logs belonging to him across the middle of the canal and failed to secure it properly. The floating logs drifted across the waterway, blocking passing vessels and causing a commuter launch to strike a log and injure a passenger on board. Because Sridhar omitted to take order with property in his possession and caused danger, obstruction, and injury in a public line of navigation, Sridhar is punishable under Section 283 IPC.

When Section 283 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 283 IPC does not apply when the conduct neither obstructed nor endangered nor injured any person.
Section 283 IPC does not apply when the obstruction or danger occurred entirely on private land rather than in a public way or public line of navigation.
Section 283 IPC does not apply to an alleged omission when the property causing the obstruction was neither in the possession nor under the charge of the accused.

Section 283 IPC in the BNS

Section 283 IPC is now covered under Section 285 BNS.

Section 283 IPC corresponds to Section 285 BNS. The definition of the offence remains unchanged, and the offence continues to be punishable with fine only. The maximum fine has increased from two hundred rupees under Section 283 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 285 BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 283 vs BNS 285) →

FAQs on Section 283 IPC

What does Section 283 IPC punish?▼

Section 283 IPC punishes whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation.

What is the punishment under Section 283 IPC?▼

The punishment under Section 283 IPC is fine only, which may extend to two hundred rupees.

What is the punishment under Section 285 BNS?▼

The punishment under Section 285 BNS is fine only, which may extend to five thousand rupees.

Does Section 283 IPC prescribe any term of imprisonment?▼

No. Neither Section 283 IPC nor Section 285 BNS prescribes imprisonment; both provisions provide for punishment by fine only.

Does Section 283 IPC require proof of actual physical injury?▼

No. The section punishes causing danger, obstruction or injury. Causing danger or obstruction alone is sufficient to complete the offence even if no physical injury results.

Is Section 283 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 283 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 283 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 283 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 ·