Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
What this section does
Penalises any person who voluntarily obstructs a public servant while that servant is discharging official functions. The obstruction must be voluntary, not accidental. The section covers any form of wilful interference with the discharge of public duties.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description up to 3 months, or fine up to ₹2,500, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused voluntarily obstructed a person
- That person is a public servant
- The obstruction occurred during the discharge of the public servant's public functions
Derived from IPC s.186.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 221, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 221 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.