Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force.
What this section does
An Executive Magistrate, officer in charge of a police station, or a sub-inspector (in the absence of the officer in charge) may command an unlawful assembly or an assembly of five or more persons likely to disturb public peace to disperse. If the assembly does not disperse or shows determination not to do so, the authorised officer may use civil force to disperse it and may require assistance from civilians (not armed forces members) to arrest and confine members.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Executive Magistrate · Officer in charge of police station · Sub-inspector · Civilians
Derived from CrPC s.129.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 148, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 148 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 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.