Indian Penal Code, 1860
188.
Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant
Whoever, knowing that,
by an order promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate
such order, he is directed to abstain from a certain act, or to take certain
order with certain property in his possession or under his management, disobeys
such direction,
shall, if such
disobedience causes to tender to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk
of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed, be
punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or
with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both;
and if such
disobedience causes or trends to cause danger to human life, health or safety,
or causes or tends to cause a not or affray, shall be punished with
imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months,
or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Explanation- It is not necessary that the offender should intend to
produce harm, or contemplate his disobedience as likely to produce harm. It is
sufficient that he knows of the order which he disobeys, and that his
disobedience produces, or is likely to produce, harm.
Illustration
An order is
promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order,
direction that a religious procession shall not pass down a certain street. A
knowingly disobeys the order, and thereby causes danger of not. A has committed
the offence defined in this section.