BNSS Section 171 — Prevention of injury to public property

Summary

A police officer can step in on their own to stop any damage they see being done to public property, whether movable or fixed. This also covers preventing the removal or damage of public landmarks, buoys, or other navigation markers.

Official Text

A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his view to any public property, movable or immovable, or the removal or injury of any public landmark, buoy or other mark used for navigation.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.12 p.335 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• CrPC §152 — Prevention of injury to public property