Chapter XV — Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency And Morals
BNS Sections 270 to 297 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Introduction
Chapter XV of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with offences that affect public health, safety, convenience, decency, and morals. It covers public nuisances, dangerous or negligent acts, adulteration of food and drugs, obscene publications and acts, and other offences that endanger or offend the public. The chapter aims to protect communities and maintain public order.
BNS Sections Covered
| Section | Title | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| 270 | Public nuisance | Acts endangering health, comfort or convenience of a large number of people. |
| 271 | Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life | Negligent handling or disposal of infectious material. |
| 272 | Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life | Malicious acts intended to spread infection. |
| 273 | Disobedience to quarantine rule | Refusing to follow quarantine or isolation orders. |
| 274 | Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale | Altering food or drink to lower quality or add harmful substances. |
| 275 | Sale of noxious food or drink | Selling food or drink that is harmful to health. |
| 276 | Adulteration of drugs | Compromising the quality or safety of medical drugs. |
| 277 | Sale of adulterated drugs | Putting adulterated drugs into commerce. |
| 278 | Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation | Mislabeling or passing off one drug as another. |
| 279 | Fouling water of public spring or reservoir | Contaminating public water sources. |
| 280 | Making atmosphere noxious to health | Emissions or acts that pollute the air and harm health. |
| 281 | Rash driving or riding on a public way | Dangerous driving or riding endangering others. |
| 282 | Rash navigation of vessel | Careless navigation endangering lives or property on water. |
| 283 | Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy | Creating false navigational signals that risk safety. |
| 284 | Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel | Transporting passengers in unsafe vessels. |
| 285 | Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation | Placing obstructions that endanger public movement or navigation. |
| 286 | Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance | Mishandling of poisons that risks public safety. |
| 287 | Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter | Careless acts with fire or combustibles endangering others. |
| 288 | Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance | Improper handling of explosive materials causing risk to life and property. |
| 289 | Negligent conduct with respect to machinery | Unsafe use or maintenance of machinery causing danger. |
| 290 | Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings etc. | Unsafe building operations endangering people or property. |
| 291 | Negligent conduct with respect to animal | Neglect or misuse of animals causing danger. |
| 292 | Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for | General penalty for public nuisance where not specified. |
| 293 | Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue | Persisting nuisance despite court orders. |
| 294 | Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc. | Distributing obscene material to the public. |
| 295 | Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child | Selling or providing obscene items to minors. |
| 296 | Obscene acts and songs | Performing obscene acts or songs in public. |
| 297 | Keeping lottery office | Operating a lottery office without authorization. |
Conclusion
Chapter XV (BNS 270–297) protects public health, safety and morals by penalizing acts that endanger or offend the community. The provisions help maintain public order, ensure safety standards for food, drugs and transport, and restrain obscene or harmful conduct in public spaces.