Section 332 IPC: Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 332 IPC at a Glance
Section 332 IPC deals with voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 121(1) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Section 332 IPC Bare Act Text
332. Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Whoever voluntarily causes hurt to any person being a public servant in the discharge of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person or any other public servant from discharging his duty as such public servant or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by that person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 332, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 332 IPC in Simple Words
Section 332 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing hurt to any person being a public servant in the discharge of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person or any other public servant from discharging his duty, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by that person in the lawful discharge of his duty.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Ingredients of Section 332 IPC
- The accused voluntarily caused hurt to any person
- The person hurt was a public servant
- The hurt was caused to that public servant in the discharge of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person or any other public servant from discharging his duty as such public servant, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by that person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant
Punishment Under Section 332 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
The court may impose fine alone or alongside imprisonment.
Voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty carries imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by a Magistrate of the first class, and not compoundable.
Example of Section 332 IPC
When Section 332 IPC Does Not Apply
- The person who suffers hurt is not a public servant.
- The hurt is caused accidentally rather than voluntarily.
- The public servant is hurt during a private dispute unrelated to the discharge of official duty, with no intent to deter any public servant from duty and not in consequence of any lawful official act.
- The injury inflicted on the public servant amounts to grievous hurt, which falls under Section 333 IPC instead.
Section 332 IPC in the BNS
Section 332 IPC is now covered under Section 121(1) BNS.
Section 332 IPC is succeeded by Section 121(1) BNS. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, hurt and grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty are consolidated into Section 121(1) BNS, with simple hurt assigned to sub-section 1. The maximum term of imprisonment rises from three years under Section 332 IPC to five years under Section 121(1) BNS. The offence remains punishable with imprisonment of either description, or with fine, or with both, and the statutory ingredients are unchanged.
View detailed comparison (IPC 332 vs BNS 121(1)) →FAQs on Section 332 IPC
What offence does Section 332 IPC punish?▼
Section 332 IPC punishes voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant in the discharge of his duty, or with intent to deter him or any other public servant from duty, or in consequence of anything done or attempted in the lawful discharge of duty.
What is the punishment prescribed under Section 332 IPC?▼
Section 332 IPC prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Is Section 332 IPC bailable or non-bailable?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 332 IPC is non-bailable, so bail is not available as a matter of right.
Is an offence under Section 332 IPC cognizable?▼
Yes, Section 332 IPC is a cognizable offence under the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Which court tries an offence under Section 332 IPC?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, cases under Section 332 IPC are triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can an offence under Section 332 IPC be compounded?▼
No, Section 332 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
How does Section 332 IPC differ from Section 333 IPC?▼
Section 332 IPC applies where simple hurt is caused to deter a public servant, whereas Section 333 IPC applies where grievous hurt is caused, carrying up to ten years imprisonment and trial by the Court of Session.
Where is Section 332 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
Section 332 IPC is codified in Section 121(1) BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·