Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding
What this section does
This section makes it an offence to intentionally insult or cause interruption to a public servant while that public servant is sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding. It is designed to protect the dignity and functioning of judicial processes.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Simple imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused intentionally offered an insult or caused an interruption
- The target was a public servant
- The public servant was sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding at the time
Practitioner note
The offence requires intentional conduct; accidental interruption would not suffice. The section covers any stage of a judicial proceeding, not merely the final hearing.
Derived from IPC s.228.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 267, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 267 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.