eCourtsIndia
IndiaCode Laws
Section4
The Poisons Act, 1919

Power to regulate possession of any poison in certain areas

In force From 03 Sep 1919 Act 12 of 1919 As on 17 Oct 2026

Act 12 of 1919 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 03 Sep 1919 In force 03 Sep 1919

Section 4 of the Poisons Act, 1919 deals with power to regulate possession of any poison in certain areas. The State Government may by rule regulate on the possession of any specified poison in any local area in which the use of such poison for the purpose of committing murder or mischief by poisoning cattle appears to it to be of such frequent occurrence as to render restrictions on the possession there The Act came into force on 03 Sep 1919.

(1) The State Government 1 *** may by rule regulate on the possession of any specified poison in any local area in which the use of such poison for the purpose of committing murder or mischief by poisoning cattle appears to it to be of such frequent occurrence as to render restrictions on the possession thereof desirable.

(2) In making any rule under sub-section (1), the State Government may direct that any breach thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both, together with confiscation of the poison in respect of which the breach has been committed, and of the vessels, packages or coverings in which the same is found.

Section 4, The Poisons Act, 1919 (Act 12 of 1919).

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.

  1. Atul Kumar Jain & Ors. v. State of Uttarakhand & Anr.

    High Court 15 Jul 2025 Persuasive (High Court) C-482 No.526/2021; Final Order 15.07.2025 (Ashish Naithani J.)

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    Uttarakhand HC refused to quash proceedings under Poisons Act ss.4/5/6 read with Excise Act for methanol seizure, holding whether methanol remains a notified poison under the 2015 State Rules versus continuing 1921 Rules is a mixed question of fact and statutory interpretation unfit for summary 482 CrPC disposal.

    On this section: s.4 Power to regulate possession of any poison in certain areas — proceedings alleged unlawful possession/transport under ss.4–6; court declined threshold quash

    Read the full order on eCourts India

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 4

What have the courts held on Section 4 of the Poisons Act?

Atul Kumar Jain & Ors. v. State of Uttarakhand & Anr. (15 Jul 2025) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.4 Power to regulate possession of any poison in certain areas — proceedings alleged unlawful possession/transport under ss.4–6; court declined threshold quash.

How do I find court cases under Section 4 of the Poisons 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: Poisons Act 1919 4, section 4 Poisons Act 1919, section 4 of the Poisons Act. People searching for it also type poisons act schedule 4. 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 Atul Kumar Jain & Ors. v. State of Uttarakhand & Anr. (15 Jul 2025).

When did Section 4 of the Poisons Act come into force?

Section 4 of the Poisons Act, cited as Poisons Act 1919 4, came into force on 03 Sep 1919, having been enacted on 03 Sep 1919. 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.