Affray
What this section does
Defines affray as fighting by two or more persons in a public place that disturbs the public peace. It is a minor public order offence carrying a short term of imprisonment or a modest fine.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description up to 1 month, or fine up to ₹1,000, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- Yes
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Two or more persons were fighting
- The fighting took place in a public place
- The fighting disturbed the public peace
Practitioner note
Affray requires a public place and actual disturbance of public peace; a private fight does not constitute affray. The offence is distinct from rioting in that it does not require an unlawful assembly or a common object.
Derived from IPC s.160.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 194, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 194 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.