Section 433 IPC: Mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a light-house or sea-mark

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 433 IPC at a Glance

Section 433 IPC deals with mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a light-house or sea-mark. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 326(d) BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 326(d) →

Section 433 IPC Bare Act Text

433. Mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a light-house or sea-mark

Whoever commits mischief by destroying or moving any light-house or other light used as a sea-mark, or any sea-mark or buoy or other thing placed as a guide for navigators, or by any act which renders any such light-house, sea-mark, buoy or other such thing as aforesaid less useful as a guide for navigators, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 433, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 433 IPC in Simple Words

Section 433 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes mischief committed by destroying or moving any light-house or other light used as a sea-mark, or any sea-mark, buoy or other thing placed as a guide for navigators, or by any act which renders any such guide less useful. The prescribed punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven 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 433 IPC

  • The accused committed mischief as defined in Section 425 IPC
  • The act destroyed or moved any light-house, other light used as a sea-mark, sea-mark, buoy, or other thing placed as a guide for navigators, or rendered any such navigation guide less useful as a guide for navigators

Punishment Under Section 433 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

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

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

Mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful any light-house, sea-mark, buoy or other guide for navigators carries imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 433 IPC

In November 2019, along the rocky coast of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, Vikram climbed a stone light-house tower at dusk after a dispute with the coastal department. Intending to cause wrongful damage to public property, he smashed the glass lens and broke the rotating lamp inside the light-house, which was placed as a guide for navigators sailing along the Arabian Sea at night. By damaging the lamp, Vikram committed mischief that rendered the light-house less useful as a guide for navigators. Vikram is punishable under Section 433 IPC.

When Section 433 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 433 IPC does not apply when a light-house, sea-mark, or buoy is damaged accidentally without any intention or knowledge of likelihood of causing wrongful loss or damage as required for mischief.
  • Section 433 IPC does not apply if the structure or lamp destroyed or moved is a decorative or street light rather than a light-house, sea-mark, buoy, or other object placed to guide navigators.
  • Section 433 IPC does not apply where the act neither destroys nor moves the light-house, sea-mark, or buoy and does not make it less useful as a guide for navigators.

Section 433 IPC in the BNS

Section 433 IPC is now covered under Section 326(d) BNS.

Section 433 IPC corresponds to Section 326(d) BNS. Section 326(d) BNS replaces the specific mention of light-houses, sea-marks and buoys with any sign or signal used for navigation of rail, aircraft or ship or other thing placed as a guide for navigators, thereby expanding statutory coverage to railway and aviation navigation aids. The punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both, remains unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 433 vs BNS 326(d)) →

FAQs on Section 433 IPC

What does Section 433 IPC punish?▼

Section 433 IPC punishes mischief committed by destroying, moving or rendering less useful any light-house, sea-mark, buoy or other thing placed as a guide for navigators.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 433 IPC?▼

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

Is Section 433 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 433 IPC is cognizable and bailable, triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 433 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 433 IPC is not mentioned in Section 320 CrPC, so it cannot be compounded.

How has Section 433 IPC been changed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 326(d) BNS covers any sign or signal used for navigation of rail, aircraft or ship, expanding beyond maritime marks while retaining the same punishment.

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