IPC Section 353 — Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty

Summary

This section makes it an offence to assault or use criminal force against a public servant who is doing their job. It also covers situations where the assault or force is meant to stop or discourage the public servant from doing their duty, or happens because of something the public servant did or tried to do as part of their lawful duties. A person who does this can be sent to jail for up to two years, or fined, or both.

Official Text

Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person being a public servant in the execution of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person from discharging his duty as such public servant, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by such person to the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Related Judgments

• CRL RC/190/2008 — Madras High Court (2008)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.935 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• MANIK TANEJA & ANR v. STATE OF KARNATAKA & 159 ANR — Supreme Court of India (2015)
• SC (2025) Vol.1 p.12 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• ... Revision Petitioners vs State rep. by the Station House Officer, — Madras High Court (2016)
• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.1306 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• ... Petitioner/Accused vs State rep. By — Madras High Court (2009)
• SC (2025) Vol.8 p.1095 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §132 — Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty