Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance

What this section does

Punishes a person who is legally bound to assist a public servant in the execution of public duty but intentionally fails to do so. A higher punishment applies where the assistance was demanded for specific urgent purposes such as executing a court process, preventing an offence, suppressing a riot or affray, or apprehending a person.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Clause (a): Simple imprisonment up to 1 month, or fine up to ₹2,500, or both. Clause (b): Simple imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both.

Triable by

Any Magistrate

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused was legally bound to render or furnish assistance to a public servant
2. The public servant was executing a public duty
3. The accused intentionally omitted to give such assistance
4. For the aggravated limb (clause b): the assistance was demanded by a legally competent public servant for one of the specified purposes (executing court process, preventing an offence, suppressing a riot or affray, apprehending an accused or escaped person)

Derived from IPC s.187.