IPC 154 vs BNS 154
● Retained in BNSAssaulting or obstructing public servant engaged in maintenance of public tranquillity
Section 154 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with offences related to assaulting or obstructing public servants who are lawfully engaged in maintaining public peace and tranquillity.
Key points of IPC 154:
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Applies when a public servant (police officer, magistrate, or other official) is performing duties to prevent or control public disorder.
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Any act of assault, obstruction, or resistance is punishable.
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Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
For example, if a police officer is managing a crowd during a festival and someone obstructs or attacks the officer, it is punishable under IPC 154.
This section protects public servants performing lawful duties in the interest of maintaining peace, ensuring they can act without interference from civilians or mobs.
Assaulting or obstructing public servant engaged in maintenance of public tranquillity
Section 154 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 154. It criminalizes assault or obstruction of public servants engaged in the maintenance of public peace and order.
Key points of BNS 154:
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Covers actions against officers performing lawful duties to maintain public tranquillity.
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Includes both physical assaults and obstruction of official duties.
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Punishment: up to 3 years imprisonment, or fine, or both.
For instance, if an individual blocks traffic police while they are managing a chaotic road situation or attacks them during public disturbance, they can be prosecuted under BNS 154.
This section reinforces the authority and safety of public officials, ensuring that law enforcement personnel can carry out their duties without interference.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 154 to BNS BNS 154.