Section 284 IPC: Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 284 IPC at a Glance
Section 284 IPC deals with negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 286 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 284 IPC Bare Act Text
284. Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
Whoever does, with any poisonous substance, any act in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any poisonous substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such poisonous substance, 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 284, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 284 IPC in Simple Words
Section 284 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes doing any act with any poisonous substance in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any poisonous substance in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such poisonous substance.
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 284 IPC
- Dealing with a poisonous substance
- Doing any act with that substance in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any poisonous substance in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such poisonous substance
Punishment Under Section 284 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.
Negligent conduct with respect to a poisonous substance 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 284 IPC
When Section 284 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 284 IPC does not apply when the substance involved was harmless and not poisonous.
- Section 284 IPC does not apply when the poisonous substance was handled and stored with due care, proper labelling, and adequate safeguards so that human life was not endangered.
- Section 284 IPC does not apply when the accused neither did any act with the poisonous substance nor had the substance in his possession.
Section 284 IPC in the BNS
Section 284 IPC is now covered under Section 286 BNS.
Section 284 IPC corresponds to Section 286 BNS. The substantive definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of six months remain unchanged. The maximum fine has increased from one thousand rupees under Section 284 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 286 BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 284 vs BNS 286) →FAQs on Section 284 IPC
What does Section 284 IPC punish?▼
Section 284 IPC punishes whoever does with any poisonous substance any act in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any poisonous substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such poisonous substance.
What is the punishment under Section 284 IPC?▼
The punishment under Section 284 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 286 BNS?▼
The punishment under Section 286 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 284 IPC require that someone actually suffered poisoning or injury?▼
No. The offence is complete when the rash or negligent act endangers human life or is likely to cause hurt, or when the omission to take proper order creates probable danger to human life, regardless of whether actual harm occurred.
What are the two alternative limbs under Section 284 IPC?▼
The first limb punishes an active rash or negligent act with a poisonous substance that endangers human life or is likely to cause hurt. The second limb punishes knowingly or negligently omitting to take sufficient order with a poisonous substance in possession to guard against probable danger to human life.
Is Section 284 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 284 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 284 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 284 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 ·