Section 48 IPC: “Vessel”

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 48 IPC at a Glance

Section 48 IPC defines the term “Vessel”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(32) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 48 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 2(32) →

Section 48 IPC Bare Act Text

48. “Vessel”

The word “vessel” denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.

Source: Section 48, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 48 IPC in Simple Words

Section 48 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the word vessel. A vessel denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment. It fixes the meaning of a word used in other sections.

Ingredients of Section 48 IPC

  • The word vessel
  • Denotes anything
  • Made for the conveyance by water
  • Of human beings or of property

Punishment Under Section 48 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 48 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 48 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 48 IPC

In Kochi in 2016, Narayanan operated a steel barge built to carry passengers and crates of spices across the backwaters. One evening, a thief crept onto the moored barge and stole a brass compass stored in the cabin. Because the steel barge had been made for the conveyance by water of both human beings and property, the craft on which the theft occurred was a vessel within Section 48 IPC.

When Section 48 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A bullock cart or lorry built to transport goods overland is not a vessel under Section 48 IPC because it is not made for conveyance by water.
  • A railway carriage running on tracks across a river bridge is not a vessel within Section 48 IPC because it travels by rail rather than by water.
  • A floating wooden log that drifted into a canal without being made to carry people or property by water is not a vessel under Section 48 IPC.
  • A fixed concrete jetty or pier standing in a harbour is not a vessel within Section 48 IPC because it is not made for conveyance by water.

Section 48 IPC in the BNS

Section 48 IPC is now covered under Section 2(32) BNS.

Section 2(32) BNS keeps the definition and changes one word. Vessel means anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property, where the IPC said denotes. It is now clause 32 of the definitions section, with the word in lower case, in place of a section of its own.

View detailed comparison (IPC 48 vs BNS 2(32)) →

FAQs on Section 48 IPC

What does Section 48 IPC define?▼

The word vessel, which it fixes as anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.

Under Section 48 IPC, does a vessel have to be a ship or a boat?▼

The section says anything, so it names no particular craft. What it asks is that the thing was made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.

Which IPC offence uses 'vessel' in the sense of Section 48 IPC?▼

Section 282 IPC is one. It punishes knowingly or negligently conveying a person by water for hire in a vessel so loaded or in such a state as to endanger that person’s life.

Does Section 48 IPC create an offence?▼

No. It fixes the meaning of a word and sets no punishment. The sections that use the word carry the punishment.

Where is Section 48 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 2(32) BNS, with the verb changed from denotes to means.

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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 ·