IPC Section 124A — Sedition

offences against the state

Criminal

Punishment

Life imprisonment · Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine”

Summary

This section makes it a crime to use spoken or written words, signs, visible images, or any other method to create or try to create hatred, contempt, or disaffection toward the Government established by law in India. A person who does this can be punished with life imprisonment and possibly a fine, or with imprisonment for up to three years and possibly a fine, or with only a fine.

Official Text

Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, a shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

Related Judgments

  • KEDAR NATH SINGH vs STATE OF BIHAR — Supreme Court of India (1962)
  • Rohan Suresh Pawar vs The Maharashtra State Election Commission, Anr — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2023)
  • VINOD DUA vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2021)
  • Sanskar Marathe vs 1. The State of Maharashtra — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2015)
  • DELHI TRANSPORT CORPORATION vs D.T.C. MAZDOOR CONGRESS — Supreme Court of India (1990)
  • HARNAM DAS vs STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH — Supreme Court of India (1961)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • BNS §151 — Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain exercise of any lawful power