Negligent conduct with respect to animal
Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with negligent conduct with respect to animal. Whoever knowingly or negligently omits to take such measures with any animal in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life, or any probable danger of grievous hurt from such animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
Whoever knowingly or negligently omits to take such measures with any animal in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life, or any probable danger of grievous hurt from such animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 291, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code
IPC 289 Negligent conduct with respect to animal Text carried over almost unchanged 95%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
How this offence is classified
From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.
| Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negligent conduct with respect to animal. | Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Cognizable. | Bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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State of Haryana vs DHANI
Decided under Indian Penal Code 289, which this section replaces. The court did not have this Act before it.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In criminal law, the burden of proving the guilt of the accused exclusively lies on the prosecution, which must prove the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt. The benefit of doubt, if any, must go in favour of the accused. When the prosecution fails to produce eyewitness evidence, best evidence (such as CCTV footage), medical evidence, and forensic evidence despite their availability, and when the testimonies of witnesses are contradictory, hearsay, or hostile, the prosecution has failed to discharge its burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt. In such circumstances, the accused must be acquitted and given the benefit of doubt, as wrongful conviction of an innocent person is far more serious than wrongful acquittal.
On this section: Rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, by which life or personal safety of any person is endangered. The court examined whether the accused's act of allegedly letting the dog loose constituted such a rash or negligent act.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 291
What have the courts held on Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
State of Haryana vs DHANI (05 Sep 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below, though it was decided under IPC 289, which this section replaced -- the court never mentioned this Act: Rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, by which life or personal safety of any person is endangered. The court examined whether the accused's act of allegedly letting the dog loose constituted such a rash or negligent act.
Is Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?
Bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Is Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?
Cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Any Magistrate.
How do I find court cases under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
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: BNS 291, section 291 BNS, section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 291 in ipc. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with State of Haryana vs DHANI (05 Sep 2025).
What should I read with Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?
It carries forward IPC 289 (Negligent conduct with respect to animal), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?
Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 291, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
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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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.