BNS Section 223 - Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant

223. Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.--Whoever, knowing that, by an

order promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, he is directed to

abstain from a certain act, or to take certain order with certain property in his possession or under his

management, disobeys such direction,--

(a) shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk

of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed, be punished with simple

imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two

thousand and five hundred rupees, or with both;

(b) and where such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety,

or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description

for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or

with both.

Explanation.-- It is not necessary that the offender should intend to produce harm, or contemplate his

disobedience as likely to produce harm. It is sufficient that he knows of the order which he disobeys, and

that his disobedience produces, or is likely to produce, harm.

Illustration.

An order is promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, directing

that a religious procession shall not pass down a certain street. A knowingly disobeys the order, and

thereby causes danger of riot. A has committed the offence defined in this section.