IPC Section 279 — Rash driving or riding on a public way

Summary

If a person drives a vehicle or rides an animal on a public road in a way that is very careless or dangerous, and this puts human life at risk or could cause injury to someone else, that person is breaking the law. For this offense, the court can send the person to jail for up to six months, or impose a fine of up to one thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever drives any vehicle, or rides, on any public way in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Related Judgments

• BRAHAM DASS v. STATE OF H.P. 911 — Supreme Court of India (2009)
• THE STATE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH v. RAMCHANDRA RABIDAS — Supreme Court of India (2019)
• SC (1950) Vol.1 p.594 — Supreme Court of India (1950)
• NARENDER v. STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) — High Court of Delhi (2021)
• MOHD. ATIQ v. STATE — High Court of Delhi (2020)
• S.C.R. STATE OF PUNJAB v. DIL BAHADUR — Supreme Court of India (2023)
• GURBACHAN SINGH v. THE STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) — High Court of Delhi (2020)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.63 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §281 — Rash driving or riding on a public way