IPC Section 269 — Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life

Summary

If a person does something illegal or careless that they know or have reason to believe could spread a life-threatening disease, they can be punished. The punishment can be imprisonment for up to six months, a fine, or both.

Official Text

Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, 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

• HYDRO-ELECTRIC EMPLOYEES UNION, U.P. AND ORS v. SUDHIR KUMAR SHARMA AND ORS. ETC. AUGUST 25, 1998 — Supreme Court of India (S)
• S.C.R. 381 SMT. SELVI & ORS v. STATE OF KARNATAKA — Supreme Court of India (2010)
• SABHAJEET MAURYA v. STATE NCT OF DELHI — High Court of Delhi (2020)
• ... Petitioner/Accused vs Dongsan Automative India Pvt., Ltd., — Madras High Court (2010)
• ANKUR MUTREJA v. STATE OF DELHI . — High Court of Delhi (2021)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.48 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SHARDA v. DHARMPAL — Supreme Court of India (2003)
• S.C.R. 571 SUSHIL ANSAL v. STATE THROUGH CBI — Supreme Court of India (2014)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §271 — Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life