Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life

What this section does

Punishes any person who malignantly (i.e., with deliberate ill intent) does an act that they know or have reason to believe is likely to spread a life-threatening infectious disease. This is the aggravated form of the offence under s.271, requiring malicious intent rather than mere negligence.

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

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Triable by

Magistrate of First Class

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused did an act likely to spread infection of a disease dangerous to life
2. The act was done malignantly (with deliberate malicious intent)
3. The accused knew or had reason to believe that the act was likely to spread such infection

Derived from IPC s.270.