BNS Section 326
What are the punishments for damaging water supply or roads?
Short answer
Damaging water supply or roads can lead to up to 5 years imprisonment, fines, or both; using explosives can lead to up to 7 years or life imprisonment, plus fines.
In detail
If someone does something that reduces the amount of water available for farming or for drinking, or makes a road, bridge, river or channel unsafe or hard to use, the law says they can be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both. The same penalty applies if the act makes a public drainage or a natural waterway dangerous or blocked. If a person destroys or moves a sign that helps ships, trains or planes find their way, the punishment can be up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both. Moving or damaging a landmark set by a public official can lead to up to one year in jail, a fine, or both. If a person sets fire or uses an explosive to damage property, the jail term can be up to seven years and a fine. If the fire or explosive is used to destroy a place of worship, a home or a building that holds property, the punishment can be life imprisonment, up to ten years, and a fine.
Related questions
What actions are defined as 'hurt' under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Hurt means causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity to any person.
Can a husband be forced to financially support his wife, children, or parents if he refuses?
Yes, a magistrate can order him to pay a monthly allowance and enforce it with fines or up to one month in jail.
If I accidentally hurt a consenting adult during a game, can I be criminally liable?
No, you are not criminally liable if the act was not intended to cause death or serious injury and the adult gave consent.
Can I defend myself even if it might harm a child nearby?
Yes, the law permits you to use private defence even if it risks harming an innocent person during a deadly assault.
People also ask
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Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.