Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs

What this section does

Penalises deliberate and malicious acts — by spoken or written words, signs, visible representations, electronic means, or otherwise — that insult or attempt to insult the religion or religious beliefs of any class of citizens of India, with the intention of outraging their religious feelings. The mental element requires both deliberateness and malice.

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

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to 3 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 made words (spoken or written), signs, visible representations, or used electronic means or other means
2. The act insulted or attempted to insult the religion or religious beliefs of a class of citizens of India
3. The accused acted with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of that class

Derived from IPC s.295A.