Section 336 IPC: Act endangering life or personal safety of others

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 336 IPC at a Glance

Section 336 IPC deals with act endangering life or personal safety of others. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 125 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or fine, or both.

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

Section 125 →

Section 336 IPC Bare Act Text

336. Act endangering life or personal safety of others

Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 336, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 336 IPC in Simple Words

Section 336 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees, or with both.

The offence is cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and not compoundable.

Ingredients of Section 336 IPC

  • The accused did an act
  • The act was done rashly or negligently
  • The act was done so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others

Punishment Under Section 336 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or fine, or both.

Fine

Fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

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

An act endangering life or the personal safety of others is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three months, or with fine of up to two hundred and fifty rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 336 IPC

In 2022, during a crowded evening fair in Nashik, electrician Sameer laid high-voltage lighting cables across a public footpath and left stripped copper wires exposed on the damp ground without insulation or warning signs. Families walking along the path narrowly avoided stepping on the live wires, and no one suffered any injury. By leaving live wires exposed on a public walkway, Sameer did an act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life and the personal safety of others. Sameer is punishable under Section 336 IPC.

When Section 336 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The person acts with due care and caution, without any rashness or negligence.
  • The act, even if careless, does not create any risk to human life or the personal safety of other people.
  • The rash or negligent act actually causes simple hurt or grievous hurt to another person, bringing the conduct under Section 337 IPC or Section 338 IPC.

Section 336 IPC in the BNS

Section 336 IPC is now covered under Section 125 BNS.

Section 336 IPC is succeeded by the opening paragraph of Section 125 BNS. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 125 BNS consolidates the offences of endangering life or personal safety without hurt, with hurt under clause a, and with grievous hurt under clause b. The maximum fine for the base offence without hurt rises from two hundred and fifty rupees under Section 336 IPC to two thousand five hundred rupees under Section 125 BNS. The maximum term of imprisonment remains three months, and the substantive ingredients are unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 336 vs BNS 125) →

FAQs on Section 336 IPC

What offence does Section 336 IPC punish?▼

Section 336 IPC punishes doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.

What punishment is prescribed under Section 336 IPC?▼

Section 336 IPC prescribes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees, or with both.

Is Section 336 IPC cognizable or non-cognizable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 336 IPC is a cognizable offence.

Is Section 336 IPC bailable?▼

Yes, Section 336 IPC is classified as bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Which court tries an offence under Section 336 IPC?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, an offence under Section 336 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 336 IPC be compounded?▼

No, Section 336 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Does Section 336 IPC require actual injury or hurt to be caused?▼

No, Section 336 IPC is complete upon the creation of danger to human life or personal safety; if hurt is actually caused the offence moves to Section 337 IPC or Section 338 IPC.

What is the equivalent provision for Section 336 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 336 IPC corresponds to the opening paragraph of Section 125 BNS, which raises the maximum fine to two thousand five hundred rupees while keeping the three-month imprisonment term.

Have questions about Section 336 IPC?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·