Obstructing railway servant in his duties
Section 146 of the Railways Act, 1989 deals with obstructing railway servant in his duties. If any person wilfully obstructs or prevents any railway servant in the discharge of his duties, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1990.
If any person wilfully obstructs or prevents any railway servant in the discharge of his duties, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 146, The Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
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.
-
Palanisamy @ Pongalur Palanisamy v. Union of India
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Quash petition allowed: allegations of protest/squatting near railway did not satisfy Railways Act s.146 obstruction of railway servant in duties; court distinguished s.146 from s.174 trespass-type allegations. DATE VERIFIED 03.08.2023 Final Order.
On this section: s.146 — Obstructing railway servant in his duties; distinct from mere presence/protest near track
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 146
What have the courts held on Section 146 of the Railways Act?
Palanisamy @ Pongalur Palanisamy v. Union of India (03 Aug 2023) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.146 — Obstructing railway servant in his duties; distinct from mere presence/protest near track.
How do I find court cases under Section 146 of the Railways 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: Railways Act 1989 146, section 146 Railways Act 1989, section 146 of the Railways Act. People searching for it also type railway act 146 and railway act 146 punishment in hindi. 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 Palanisamy @ Pongalur Palanisamy v. Union of India (03 Aug 2023).
What should I read with Section 146 of the Railways Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 146 of the Railways Act come into force?
Section 146 of the Railways Act, cited as Railways Act 1989 146, came into force on 01 Jul 1990, having been enacted on 03 Jun 1989. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1289 words
- 90. Disposal of unremoved goods at notified stations852 words
- 20F. Determination of amount payable as compensation652 words
- 89. Power to declare notified stations529 words
- 138. Levy of excess charge and fare for travelling without proper pass or ticket or beyond authorised distance492 words
- 16. Accommodation works485 words
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.