Mischief with intent to destroy or make unsafe a rail, aircraft or vessel
Full Text
(1) Whoever commits mischief to any rail, aircraft, or a decked vessel or any vessel of a burden of twenty tons or upwards, intending to destroy or render unsafe, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby destroy or render unsafe, that rail, aircraft or vessel, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
\n(2) Whoever commits, or attempts to commit, by fire or any explosive substance, such mischief as is described in sub-section (1), shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Plain English Summary
Punishes mischief targeting rail, aircraft, or large vessels with intent to destroy or make them unsafe, prescribing up to ten years imprisonment, or life imprisonment if committed using fire or explosives.
Key Legal Elements
- Mischief directed against any rail, aircraft, decked vessel, or vessel of 20 tons burden or upwards
- Intent or knowledge to destroy or render the transportation vehicle unsafe
- Enhanced penalty (life imprisonment or 10 years) for committing or attempting such mischief using fire or explosive substances
Punishment
General (ss 1): Imprisonment up to 10 years and fine; By Fire/Explosives (ss 2): Imprisonment for life or up to 10 years and fine
Practical Note
CRITICAL COMPARISON: BNS Section 327 consolidates IPC Sections 437 (general mischief to decked vessels) and 438 (same committed by fire/explosive). Crucially, the BNS expands the scope of these provisions beyond marine vessels to explicitly cover "rail" and "aircraft", ensuring modern transportation systems are protected from sabotage under a unified, severe penal framework. Punishment ranges up to life imprisonment for arson-based sabotage.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जो कोई किसी रेल, वायुयान या तल्लायुक्त जलयान को या बीस टन या उससे अधिक भार क्षमता वाले किसी जलयान के प्रति उसे नष्ट करने या असुरक्षित बनाने के आशय से, या यह जानते हुए कि यह संभाव्य है कि वह तद्वारा उसे नष्ट या असुरक्षित बना देगा, रिष्टि करेगा, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दस वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दंडनीय होगा।
\n(2) जो कोई अग्नि या किसी विस्फोटक पदार्थ द्वारा ऐसा कोई अपराध करेगा या करने का प्रयत्न करेगा, जैसा कि उपधारा (1) में वर्णित है, वह आजीवन कारावास से, या दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि दस वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दंडनीय होगा।