BNS Section 270 — Public nuisance

CHAPTER XV OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, CONVENIENCE, DECENCY AND MORALS

Criminal

Summary

A person commits a public nuisance if they do any act, or fail to do something they are legally required to do, and that act or omission causes common injury, danger, or annoyance to the public, or to the people generally who live in or occupy property in the nearby area. It also covers situations where the act or omission must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger, or annoyance to people who may happen to use any public right, such as a public road or pathway.

A common nuisance is not excused simply because it also brings some convenience or advantage to someone.

Official Text

A person is guilty of a public nuisance who does any act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use any public right but a common nuisance is not excused on the ground that it causes some convenience or advantage.

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

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