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BNSS, 2023
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BNSSChapter XISection 149
Section149

Use of armed forces to disperse assembly

AI Assist

Summary

Where a public assembly cannot be dispersed by other means and public security requires it, the District Magistrate or an authorised Executive Magistrate present may order the armed forces to disperse it. The Magistrate can direct armed forces officers to arrest and detain persons needed to break up the assembly or to have them punished. Armed forces must obey but use the minimum force and cause as little injury to persons and property as possible.

Example

Ravi leads a crowd blocking a main road and police efforts to disperse it fail. The District Magistrate present may requisition the armed forces to disperse the crowd and to arrest and detain those needed to restore order. The armed forces must comply but use as little force and cause as little injury to people and property as possible.

Bare Act

Enacted text

(1) If any assembly referred to in sub-section (1) of section 148 cannot otherwise be dispersed, and it is necessary for the public security that it should be dispersed, the District Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate authorised by him, who is present, may cause it to be dispersed by the armed forces.

(2) Such Magistrate may require any officer in command of any group of persons belonging to the armed forces to disperse the assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and to arrest and confine such persons forming part of it as the Executive Magistrate may direct, or as it may be necessary to arrest and confine in order to disperse the assembly or to have them punished according to law.

(3) Every such officer of the armed forces shall obey such requisition in such manner as he thinks fit, but in so doing he shall use as little force, and do as little injury to person and property, as may be consistent with dispersing the assembly and arresting and detaining such persons.

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XI

Chapter XI

Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquillity

In this chapter

  • 148Dispersal of assembly by use of civil force
  • 149Use of armed forces to disperse assembly
  • 150Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly
  • 151Protection against prosecution for acts done under sections 148, 149 and 150
  • 152Conditional order for removal of nuisance
  • 153Service or notification of order
  • 154Person to whom order is addressed to obey or show cause
  • 155Penalty for failure to comply with section 154
  • 156Procedure where existence of public right is denied
  • 157Procedure where person against whom order is made under section 152 appears to show cause
  • 158Power of Magistrate to direct local investigation and examination of an expert
  • 159Power of Magistrate to furnish written instructions, etc
  • 160Procedure on order being made absolute and consequences of disobedience
  • 161Injunction pending inquiry
  • 162Magistrate may prohibit repetition or continuance of public nuisance
  • 163Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger
  • 164Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace
  • 165Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver
  • 166Dispute concerning right of use of land or water
  • 167Local inquiry
Previous · Section 148Dispersal of assembly by use of civil forceNext · Section 150Power of certain armed force officers to disperse assembly