IPC Section 268: Public nuisance
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 14: Offences affecting the Public health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
A person is guilty of a public nuisance who does not act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use any public right.
A common nuisance is not excused on the ground that it causes some convenience or advantage.
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 269. Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 270. Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 271. Disobedience to quarantine rule
- 272. Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
- 273. Sale of noxious food or drink
- 274. Adulteration of drugs
- 275. Sale of adulterated drugs
- 276. Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
- 277. Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
- 278. Making atmosphere noxious to health
- 279. Rash driving or riding on a public way
- 280. Rash navigation of vessel
- 281. Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
- 282. Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
- 283. Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
- 284. Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
- 285. Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
- 286. Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
- 287. Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
- 288. Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings
- 289. Negligent conduct with respect to animal
- 290. Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
- 291. Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
- 292. Sale, etc., or obscene books, etc
- 293. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
- 294. Obscene acts and songs
- 294A. Keeping lottery office