Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue. Whoever repeats or continues a public nuisance, having been enjoined by any public servant who has lawful authority to issue such injunction not to repeat or continue such nuisance, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1862. Repealed by section 358 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
Whoever repeats or continues a public nuisance, having been enjoined by any public servant who has lawful authority to issue such injunction not to repeat or continue such nuisance, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
Section 291, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860).
Now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
BNS 293 Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue Text carried over almost unchanged 98%
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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
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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Sub Inspector Of Police vs Muthukumar
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A first-time offender who voluntarily admits guilt after understanding the nature of the offense and punishment, and who has no previous criminal record, is eligible for release under the Probation of Offenders Act with admonition, even after conviction under Section 291 IPC, as the court has discretion to consider the offender's background and circumstances in determining appropriate sentence.
On this section: Rash or negligent act endangering human life or personal safety. The accused was convicted under this section for committing such an 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 Indian Penal Code?
Sub Inspector Of Police vs Muthukumar (27 May 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Rash or negligent act endangering human life or personal safety. The accused was convicted under this section for committing such an act.
How do I find court cases under Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code?
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: IPC 291, section 291 IPC, section 291 of the Indian Penal Code. People searching for it also type ipc 291 in bns and ipc 291 punishment. 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 Sub Inspector Of Police vs Muthukumar (27 May 2024).
What should I read with Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNS 293 (Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code come into force?
Section 291 of the Indian Penal Code, cited as IPC 291, came into force on 01 Jan 1862, having been enacted on 06 Oct 1860. It is no longer in force.
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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. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 7b7d4fe6-206b-4e33-81f1-b98b018acaf6). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.