Section 431 IPC: Mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 431 IPC at a Glance

Section 431 IPC deals with mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 326(b) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 326(b) →

Section 431 IPC Bare Act Text

431. Mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel

Whoever commits mischief by doing any act which renders or which he knows to be likely to render any public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel, natural or artificial, impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 431, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 431 IPC in Simple Words

Section 431 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes mischief committed by any act which renders, or which the offender knows to be likely to render, any public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel, natural or artificial, impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or fine, or both.

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the offence is cognizable, bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class. The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 431 IPC

  • The accused committed mischief as defined in Section 425 IPC
  • The act rendered, or the accused knew it to be likely to render, a public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property
  • The river or channel may be natural or artificial

Punishment Under Section 431 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.

Fine

The court may impose fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Mischief that renders a public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel impassable or less safe carries imprisonment of either description up to five years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 431 IPC

In 2015 in Alappuzha, Bhaskar quarrelled with boatmen who transported coir bales along an artificial navigable channel. One night, Bhaskar felled heavy palm trunks and rolled large boulders into the channel, choking the waterway. His act changed the situation of the artificial navigable channel and rendered it impassable and less safe for boats travelling and conveying property. Bhaskar intended to cause wrongful loss to the boatmen and knew his conduct would make the channel unsafe. Bhaskar is punishable under Section 431 IPC.

When Section 431 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The road or bridge damaged was private property, or the river or channel affected was not navigable.
  • The conduct neither made the road, bridge, river, or channel impassable nor made it less safe for travel or transporting goods.
  • The person acted without intending to cause wrongful loss or damage and without knowing that such loss or damage was likely.

Section 431 IPC in the BNS

Section 431 IPC is now covered under Section 326(b) BNS.

Section 431 IPC corresponds to Section 326(b) BNS. Clause b of Section 326 BNS reproduces Section 431 IPC without change, and the punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to five years, or fine, or both, remains the same.

View detailed comparison (IPC 431 vs BNS 326(b)) →

FAQs on Section 431 IPC

What does Section 431 IPC punish?▼

Section 431 IPC punishes mischief that makes a public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 431 IPC?▼

The prescribed punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.

Is Section 431 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 431 IPC is cognizable and bailable, triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 431 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 431 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC, so it cannot be compounded.

Does Section 431 IPC cover an artificial channel?▼

Yes. A navigable river or navigable channel falls within Section 431 IPC whether it is natural or artificial.

Have questions about Section 431 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 ·