Section 333 IPC: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 333 IPC at a Glance
Section 333 IPC deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 121(2) BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
Section 333 IPC Bare Act Text
333. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty
Whoever voluntarily causes grievous 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 ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 333, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 333 IPC in Simple Words
Section 333 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes voluntarily causing grievous 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 ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session.
Ingredients of Section 333 IPC
- The accused voluntarily caused grievous hurt to any person
- The person hurt was a public servant
- The grievous 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 333 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 333 IPC
When Section 333 IPC Does Not Apply
- The injury caused to the public servant is only simple hurt and does not meet the threshold of grievous hurt.
- The person who suffers grievous hurt is not a public servant.
- The grievous hurt is caused unintentionally through an accident rather than voluntarily.
- The assault arises out of a purely personal quarrel when the public servant is not discharging official duty, without any intent to deter official duty or retaliation for a lawful official act.
Section 333 IPC in the BNS
Section 333 IPC is now covered under Section 121(2) BNS.
Section 333 IPC is succeeded by Section 121(2) BNS. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, hurt and grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty are combined in Section 121(2) BNS, with grievous hurt placed in sub-section 2. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduces a minimum term of imprisonment of one year, while keeping the maximum punishment at imprisonment of either description for up to ten years and liability to fine. The substantive ingredients of the offence remain unchanged.
View detailed comparison (IPC 333 vs BNS 121(2)) →FAQs on Section 333 IPC
What offence does Section 333 IPC punish?▼
Section 333 IPC punishes voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant in the discharge of official duty, or with intent to deter any public servant from duty, or in consequence of past lawful discharge of duty.
What is the punishment prescribed under Section 333 IPC?▼
Section 333 IPC prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Is Section 333 IPC bailable or non-bailable?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 333 IPC is non-bailable, meaning bail cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
Is an offence under Section 333 IPC cognizable?▼
Yes, Section 333 IPC is a cognizable offence under the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Which court tries an offence under Section 333 IPC?▼
Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, an offence under Section 333 IPC is triable by the Court of Session.
Can an offence under Section 333 IPC be compounded?▼
No, Section 333 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
How does Section 333 IPC differ from Section 332 IPC?▼
Section 332 IPC applies when simple hurt is caused to deter a public servant from duty and is triable by a Magistrate of the first class, whereas Section 333 IPC applies when grievous hurt is caused and is triable by the Court of Session.
What is the equivalent provision for Section 333 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
Section 333 IPC corresponds to Section 121(2) BNS, which adds a minimum imprisonment term of one year while retaining the ten-year ceiling.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·