IPC Section 141: Unlawful assembly
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 8: Offences against the Public Tranquillity
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶An assembly of five or more persons is designated an “unlawful assembly”, if the common object of the persons composing that assembly is—
¶First.—To overawe by criminal force, or show of criminal force, 1[the Central or any State Government or Parliament or the Legislature of any State], or any public servant in the exercise of the lawful power of such public servant; or
¶Second.—To resist the execution of any law, or of any legal process; or
¶Third.—To commit any mischief or criminal trespass, or other offence; or
¶Fourth.—By means of criminal force, or show of criminal force, to any person, to take or obtain possession of any property, or to deprive any person of the enjoyment of a right of way, or of the use of water or other incorporeal right of which he is in possession or enjoyment, or to enforce any right or supposed right; or
¶Fifth.—By means of criminal force, or show of criminal force, to compel any person to do what he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do what he is legally entitled to do.
¶Explanation.—An assembly which was not unlawful when it assembled, may subsequently become an unlawful assembly.
¶__________________________
¶1. Subs., ibid., for “the Central or any Provincial Government or Legislature”.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 189 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p12
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 142. Being member of unlawful assembly
- 143. Punishment
- 144. Joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon
- 145. Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse
- 146. Rioting
- 147. Punishment for rioting
- 148. Rioting, armed with deadly weapon
- 149. Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object
- 150. Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join unlawful assembly
- 151. Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse
- 152. Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc
- 153. Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot-if rioting be committed-if not committed
- 153A. Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony
- 153AA. Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organising, or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms
- 153B. Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration
- 154. Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held
- 155. Liability of person for whose benefit riot is committed
- 156. Liability of agent of owner of occupier for whose benefit riot is committed
- 157. Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly
- 158. Being hired to take part in an unlawful assembly or riot
- 159. Affray
- 160. Punishment for committing affray