Section 502 IPC: Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 502 IPC at a Glance

Section 502 IPC deals with sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by the Court of Session or Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 356(4) BNS.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for up to two years.

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

Section 356(4) →

Section 502 IPC Bare Act Text

502. Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter

Whoever sells or offers for sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter, knowing that it contains such matter, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 502, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 502 IPC in Simple Words

Section 502 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever sells or offers for sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter, knowing that it contains such matter. The punishment is simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Ingredients of Section 502 IPC

  • Selling or offering for sale any printed or engraved substance
  • The substance containing defamatory matter
  • Knowing that the substance contains such defamatory matter

Punishment Under Section 502 IPC

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for up to two years.

Fine

Fine in place of imprisonment, or both. The section sets no limit.

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

The First Schedule classifies the offence as non-cognizable and bailable in every case, but divides the trial court between the Court of Session and a Magistrate of the first class depending on the person defamed and the complainant.

  • Triable by: Court of Session where the matter is defamatory of the President, the Vice-President, the Governor of a State, the Administrator of a Union territory or a Minister in respect of his conduct in the discharge of his public functions, and the case is instituted upon a complaint made by the Public Prosecutor. Magistrate of the first class in any other case.

Selling or offering for sale a printed or engraved substance known to contain defamatory matter is punishable with simple imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both. The offence is non-cognizable, bailable, and compoundable without court permission by the person defamed. The Court of Session tries the case where the matter concerns the President, the Vice-President, the Governor of a State, the Administrator of a Union territory or a Minister and the Public Prosecutor complains, and a Magistrate of the first class tries every other case.

Example of Section 502 IPC

In 2022 in Kozhikode, Anand operated a newspaper kiosk near the railway station. Sridhar delivered bundles of a printed magazine to Anand containing an article that falsely accused a local architect named Nandini of bribing municipal engineers. Sridhar told Anand that the story was fabricated to destroy Nandini's reputation. Knowing that the printed magazine contained defamatory matter concerning Nandini, Anand offered the copies for sale at his kiosk and sold several issues to commuters. Anand is punishable under Section 502 IPC.

When Section 502 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The accused neither sold nor offered for sale any printed or engraved substance.
  • The seller was unaware that the printed or engraved substance contained defamatory matter.
  • The matter contained in the printed or engraved substance was not defamatory of any person.

Section 502 IPC in the BNS

Section 502 IPC is now covered under Section 356(4) BNS.

Section 502 IPC corresponds to Section 356(4) BNS with identical wording and punishment. Community service, provided for simple defamation under Section 356(2) BNS, is not added to this provision.

View detailed comparison (IPC 502 vs BNS 356(4)) →

FAQs on Section 502 IPC

What does Section 502 IPC punish?▼

It punishes whoever sells or offers for sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter, knowing that it contains such matter.

What is the punishment under Section 502 IPC?▼

Simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

What mental element must be proven under Section 502 IPC?▼

The prosecution must prove that the accused sold or offered the material for sale knowing that it contained defamatory matter.

Is an offence under Section 502 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable in every case.

Which court tries an offence under Section 502 IPC?▼

The Court of Session tries the case where the matter is defamatory of the President, the Vice-President, the Governor of a State, the Administrator of a Union territory or a Minister in respect of his public functions, and the Public Prosecutor makes the complaint. A Magistrate of the first class tries every other case.

Can an offence under Section 502 IPC be compounded?▼

Yes. Section 320(1) CrPC allows the person defamed to compound the offence without permission of the court.

Where is Section 502 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is placed in Section 356(4) BNS, with identical text and punishment.

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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 ·