IPC Section 151 — Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse

offences against the public tranquillity

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, 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, or with both”

Summary

If you knowingly join or stay in a group of five or more people that is likely to disturb the public peace, after the group has been legally ordered to break up, you can be punished. The punishment may be imprisonment for up to six months, a fine, or both.

Official Text

Whoever knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, after such assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.

Related Judgments

  • 70.Muthurasu; 71.Sundaramoorthy; 72.Nallasamy; 4/12; https://www.mhc.t vs 1.State rep.by the Inspector of Police — Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) (2024)
  • G.Pandurangan vs State rep.by, The Inspector of Police,, Virudhunagar West Police Stati — Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) (2023)
  • and; W.M.P. Nos. 471, 474 and 475 of 2019; ---; Mr.Ashok Anand vs 1. The Secretary,, Ministry of Home Affairs,, Government of India, Nor — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2019)
  • Ganesh Kumar; Meenachisundaram; Samuvel Devadass; Sivakumar; Senthilku vs 1. The State by, The Inspector of Police,, Singanallur Police Station — Madras High Court (Principal Bench, Chennai) (2022)

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