eCourtsIndia
IndiaCode Laws
Section42
The Army Act, 1950

Insubordination and obstruction

In force From 22 Jul 1950 Act 46 of 1950 As on 17 Oct 2026

Act 46 of 1950 Ministry Defence Enacted 20 May 1950 In force 22 Jul 1950

Section 42 of the Army Act, 1950 deals with insubordination and obstruction. Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,-- (a) being concerned in any quarrel, affray, or disorder, refuses to obey any officer, though of inferior rank, who orders him into arrest, or uses criminal force to or assaults any such officer; The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,--

(a) being concerned in any quarrel, affray, or disorder, refuses to obey any officer, though of inferior rank, who orders him into arrest, or uses criminal force to or assaults any such officer; or

(b) uses criminal force to, or assaults any person, whether subject to this Act or not, in whose custody he is lawfully placed, and whether he is or is not his superior officer; or

(c) resists an escort whose duty it is to apprehend him or to have him in charge; or

(d) breaks out of barracks, camp or quarters; or

(e) neglects to obey any general, local or other order; or

(f) impedes the provost-marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf, or when called upon, refuses to assist in the execution of his duty a provost-marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf; or

(g) uses criminal force to or assaults any person bringing provisions or supplies to the forces;

shall, on conviction by court-martial, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend, in the case of the offences specified in clauses (d) and (e) to two years, and in the case of the offences specified in the other clauses to ten years, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 42, The Army Act, 1950 (Act 46 of 1950).

Questions about Section 42

What does Section 42 of the Army Act deal with?

Section 42 of the Army Act is headed "Insubordination and obstruction". Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,-- (a) being concerned in any quarrel, affray, or disorder, refuses to obey any officer, though of inferior rank, who orders him into arrest, or uses criminal force to or assaults any such officer;

How do I find court cases under Section 42 of the Army Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Army Act 1950 42, section 42 Army Act 1950, section 42 of the Army Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

When did Section 42 of the Army Act come into force?

Section 42 of the Army Act, cited as Army Act 1950 42, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 20 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.