Section 355 IPC: Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 355 IPC at a Glance

Section 355 IPC deals with assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 133 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years under both codes.

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

BNS Equivalent

Section 133 →

Section 355 IPC Bare Act Text

355. Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation
Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person, intending thereby to dishonour that person, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 355, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 355 IPC in Simple Words

Section 355 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person who assaults or uses criminal force to another person with the intention of dishonouring that person, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term extending up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, the offence is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable under Section 320(1) CrPC without the permission of the court by the person assaulted or subjected to criminal force.

Ingredients of Section 355 IPC

The accused assaulted or used criminal force to another person
The act was committed with the specific intention of dishonouring that person
The act was committed otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person

Punishment Under Section 355 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years under both codes.

Fine

Fine, instead of or in addition to imprisonment under both codes.

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

Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person carries imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both. It is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable without the permission of the court by the person assaulted or to whom criminal force is used.

Example of Section 355 IPC

In April 2017, at a wedding hall in Mysuru, Naveen walked up to merchant Dinesh during a dinner reception. Without any grave and sudden provocation given by Dinesh, Naveen intentionally grabbed Dinesh by his collar and threw mud on his shawl in front of the guests, intending thereby to dishonour him. Dinesh had done nothing to provoke the attack. Because Naveen used criminal force against a person intending thereby to dishonour him, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation, Naveen is punishable under Section 355 IPC.

When Section 355 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 355 IPC does not apply when the accused neither commits an assault nor uses criminal force against the other person.
Section 355 IPC does not apply when the assault or criminal force is used without any intention to dishonour that person.
Section 355 IPC does not apply when the accused acts on grave and sudden provocation given by the person assaulted or subjected to criminal force.

Section 355 IPC in the BNS

Section 355 IPC is now covered under Section 133 BNS.

Section 355 IPC is succeeded by Section 133 BNS. The statutory text, the essential ingredients including the intention to dishonour, the exclusion of grave and sudden provocation, and the punishment of imprisonment of either description up to two years, or fine, or both, remain identical in substance.

View detailed comparison (IPC 355 vs BNS 133) →

FAQs on Section 355 IPC

What does Section 355 IPC punish?▼

Section 355 IPC punishes anyone who assaults or uses criminal force to any person intending to dishonour that person, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 355 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

How does Section 355 IPC differ from simple assault under Section 352 IPC?▼

Section 355 IPC requires a specific intention to dishonour the victim, which elevates the maximum imprisonment from three months under Section 352 IPC to two years.

Under Section 355 IPC, what happens if the assault occurred on grave and sudden provocation?▼

If the accused acted on grave and sudden provocation given by the victim, the offence does not fall under Section 355 IPC, but is dealt with under Section 358 IPC.

Is an offence under Section 355 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the CrPC, Section 355 IPC is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries cases under Section 355 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate is empowered to try an offence under Section 355 IPC.

Can an offence under Section 355 IPC be compounded?▼

Yes; under Section 320(1) CrPC, the offence may be compounded without the permission of the court by the person assaulted or to whom criminal force was used.

Which section in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita corresponds to Section 355 IPC?▼

In Section 133 BNS.

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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 ·