BNS Section 221
What is the punishment for obstructing a public servant while they perform their duties?
Short answer
The offence can lead to up to three months imprisonment, a fine up to ₹2,500, or both.
In detail
The law says that if a person deliberately gets in the way of a public servant who is carrying out official duties, that person commits an offence. ‘Voluntarily’ means the act is done on purpose, not by accident. The public servant can be anyone performing a government function, such as a police officer, tax officer or any other official. When the obstruction is proven, the court can punish the offender in three ways: a jail term that can last up to three months, a monetary fine that can be as high as ₹2,500, or a combination of both. The judge decides which punishment, or both, is appropriate based on the circumstances. Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, defines this rule. The term ‘public functions’ covers any duty that the law requires a public servant to perform. The court may choose any one of the punishments or impose both, depending on how serious the obstruction was.
Related questions
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People also ask
- What actions are considered obstruction of a public servant under this law?
- Can accidental interference with a public servant be punished under Section 221?
- Is there a higher penalty for repeated obstruction of public officials?
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.