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IPC, 1860
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IPCChapter XIVSection 268
Section268

Public nuisance

AI Assist

Summary

Anyone who does an act or illegally omits a duty that causes common injury, danger, or annoyance to the public or to people living or occupying nearby property is guilty of public nuisance. It also covers acts that must necessarily cause harm to persons using any public right, such as a road. Causing some convenience or advantage is not a defence.

Example

Priya runs a roadside tea stall and channels waste into the lane beside it, causing foul smell and blocking people from passing. Because the act creates common annoyance and obstructs a public way, Priya can be found guilty of public nuisance even if it makes her work easier.

Bare Act

Enacted text

A person is guilty of a public nuisance who does any act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use any public right.

A common nuisance is not excused on the ground that it causes some convenience or advantage.

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XIV

Chapter XIV

Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals

In this chapter

  • 268Public nuisance
  • 269Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  • 270Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  • 271Disobedience to quarantine rule
  • 272Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
  • 273Sale of noxious food or drink
  • 274Adulteration of drugs
  • 275Sale of adulterated drugs
  • 276Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
  • 277Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
  • 278Making atmosphere noxious to health
  • 279Rash driving or riding on a public way
  • 280Rash navigation of vessel
  • 281Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
  • 282Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
  • 283Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
  • 284Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
  • 285Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
  • 286Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
  • 287Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
  • 288Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings
  • 289Negligent conduct with respect to animal
  • 290Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
  • 291Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
  • 292Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc
  • 293Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
  • 294Obscene acts and songs
  • 294AKeeping lottery office
Previous · Section 267Making or selling false weight or measureNext · Section 269Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life