BNS Section 126: Wrongful restraint

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 6: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body

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126. (1) Whoever voluntarily obstructs any person so as to prevent that person from proceeding in any direction in which that person has a right to proceed, is said wrongfully to restrain that person.

Exception.—The obstruction of a private way over land or water which a person in good faith believes himself to have a lawful right to obstruct, is not an offence within the meaning of this section.

Illustration.
A obstructs a path along which Z has a right to pass, A not believing in good faith that he has a right to stop the path. Z is thereby prevented from passing. A wrongfully restrains Z.

(2) Whoever wrongfully restrains any person shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Bare act text for reference, current to 1 July 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.

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