Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class

What this section does

Punishes the destruction, damage, or defilement of a place of worship or any object held sacred by any class of persons, where the act is done with the intention of insulting that class's religion or with knowledge that the class is likely to consider it an insult. Both intent and knowledge are alternative mental elements.

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 destroyed, damaged, or defiled a place of worship or an object held sacred by any class of persons
2. The accused acted either with the intention of insulting the religion of that class, or with knowledge that the class is likely to consider the act an insult to their religion

Derived from IPC s.295.