Section 285 IPC: Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 285 IPC at a Glance
Section 285 IPC deals with negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 287 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 285 IPC Bare Act Text
285. Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
Whoever does, with fire or any combustible matter, any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any fire or any combustible matter in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such fire or combustible matter, 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 285, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 285 IPC in Simple Words
Section 285 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes doing any act with fire or any combustible matter so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any fire or combustible matter in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such fire or combustible matter.
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 285 IPC
- Dealing with fire or any combustible matter
- Doing any act with fire or combustible matter so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any fire or combustible matter in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such fire or combustible matter
Punishment Under Section 285 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 fire or combustible matter 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 285 IPC
When Section 285 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 285 IPC does not apply when the incident did not involve fire or any combustible material.
- Section 285 IPC does not apply when the fire or flammable material was used and stored with proper precautions so that no human life was endangered and no hurt or injury to another person was likely.
- Section 285 IPC does not apply when the accused neither committed any act with the fire or combustible matter nor had possession of it.
Section 285 IPC in the BNS
Section 285 IPC is now covered under Section 287 BNS.
Section 285 IPC corresponds to Section 287 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 285 IPC to two thousand rupees under Section 287 BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 285 vs BNS 287) →FAQs on Section 285 IPC
What does Section 285 IPC punish?▼
Section 285 IPC punishes whoever does with fire or any combustible matter any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any fire or combustible matter in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such fire or combustible matter.
What is the punishment under Section 285 IPC?▼
The punishment under Section 285 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 287 BNS?▼
The punishment under Section 287 BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.
Does Section 285 IPC require that actual property damage or bodily injury occurred?▼
No. The offence is complete when the conduct endangers human life or creates a likelihood of hurt or injury, or when the omission creates probable danger to human life, regardless of whether a fire actually broke out or caused injury.
What constitutes the omission limb of Section 285 IPC?▼
The omission limb punishes knowingly or negligently failing to take such precautions with fire or combustible matter in one's possession as are sufficient to guard against probable danger to human life from that fire or matter.
Is Section 285 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 285 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 285 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 285 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 ·