BNS Section 193 — Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot takes place

Summary

Sub-section (1) deals with the owner or occupier of land where an unlawful assembly or riot happens, and also anyone who has or claims an interest in that land. Such a person is punishable with a fine of up to one thousand rupees if they, or their agent or manager, knowing that the offence is being committed or has been committed, or having reason to believe it is likely to be committed, fail to give the earliest notice they can to the officer in charge at the nearest police station. Additionally, if they had reason to believe the offence was about to happen, they must use all lawful means in their power to prevent it, and if it does take place, they must use all lawful means to disperse or suppress the riot or unlawful assembly.

Sub-section (2) covers a situation where a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of a person who is the owner or occupier of the land where the riot takes place, or who claims an interest in that land, or in the subject of any dispute that gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit from the riot. Such a person is punishable with a fine if they, or their agent or manager, having reason to believe that the riot was likely to be committed or that the unlawful assembly was likely to be held, do not use all lawful means in their power to prevent the assembly or riot from taking place, and to suppress and disperse it.

Sub-section (3) applies to the agent or manager of a person described in sub-section (2), that is, someone who is the owner or occupier of the land where the riot takes place, or who claims an interest in that land or in the subject of the dispute that gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived benefit from it. The agent or manager is punishable with a fine if, having reason to believe that the riot was likely to be committed or that the unlawful assembly was likely to be held, they do not use all lawful means in their power to prevent the riot or assembly from taking place and to suppress and disperse it.

Official Text

(1) Whenever any unlawful assembly or riot takes place, the owner or occupier of the land upon which such unlawful assembly is held, or such riot is committed, and any person having or claiming an interest in such land, shall be punishable with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, if he or his agent or manager, knowing that such offence is being or has been committed, or having reason to believe it is likely to be committed, do not give the earliest notice thereof in his or their power to the officer in charge at the nearest police station, and do not, in the case of his or their having reason to believe that it was about to be committed, use all lawful means in his or their power to prevent it and, in the event of its taking place, do not use all lawful means in his or their power to disperse or suppress the riot or unlawful assembly.

(2) Whenever a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of any person who is the owner or occupier of any land respecting which such riot takes place or who claims any interest in such land, or in the subject of any dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit therefrom, such person shall be punishable with fine, if he or his agent or manager, having reason to believe that such riot was likely to be committed or that the unlawful assembly by which such riot was committed was likely to be held, shall not respectively use all lawful means in his or their power to prevent such assembly or riot from taking place, and for suppressing and dispersing the same.

(3) Whenever a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of any person who is the owner or occupier of any land respecting which such riot takes place, or who claims any interest in such land, or in the subject of any dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit therefrom, the agent or manager of such person shall be punishable with fine, if such agent or manager, having reason to believe that such riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which such riot was committed was likely to be held, shall not use all lawful means in his power to prevent such riot or assembly from taking place and for suppressing and dispersing the same.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §154 — Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot takes place
• IPC §155 — Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot takes place
• IPC §156 — Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot takes place