Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
Full Text
Whoever malignantly does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Punishes anyone who malignantly (with ill-will or deliberate harmful intent) does an act likely to spread a life-threatening infection.
Key Legal Elements
- Malignant act done by the accused.
- The act is likely to spread the infection of a disease dangerous to life.
- Accused knew or had reason to believe the act would spread the infection.
Punishment
Imprisonment of either description up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
Practical Note
The key distinction between Section 271 and 272 is the mental state: Section 271 requires 'negligence' or 'unlawfulness', whereas Section 272 requires a 'malignant' act, showing deliberate ill-will or intent to cause harm. For example, a person intentionally spitting on public surfaces during an epidemic or purposefully attempting to infect others. It is cognizable and bailable.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई द्वेषपूर्वक कोई ऐसा कार्य करेगा, जिससे कि, और जिसके बारे में वह जानता हो या विश्वास करने का कारण रखता हो कि, जीवन के लिए संकटपूर्ण किसी रोग का संसर्ग फैलना सम्भाव्य है, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दो वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दंडित किया जाएगा।