BNS Section 288 — Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance

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

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both”

Summary

A person who handles an explosive substance in a way that is so rash or careless that it endangers human life, or is likely to cause hurt or injury to another person, commits an offence under this section. The same applies to a person who knowingly or carelessly fails to take proper precautions with an explosive substance in their possession, where those precautions would be enough to guard against probable danger to human life from that substance. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment of either kind for up to six months, or a fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever does, with any explosive substance, any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any explosive substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Related Judgments

  • APPELLATE SIDE; CRA (DB) 401 OF 2025; Amarjeet Kumar @ Amarjeet Verma vs National Investigation Agency, Before: The Hon’ble Justice Arijit Bane — Calcutta High Court (Kolkata Principal Seat) (2025)
  • Karthikeyan vs The State represented by,, The Inspector of Police,, Thirumuruganpoond — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2024)
  • Kumaresan vs State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by,, The Inspector of Police,, Kadayam, Tenkas — Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) (2025)
  • V.Boopathy vs The State represented by, The Inspector of Police,, Tiruvannamalai Tow — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §286 — Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance