Whenever a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of any person who is the owner or occupier of any land respecting which such riot takes place or who claims any interest in such land, or in the subject of any dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit therefrom, such person shall be punishable with fine, if he or his agent or manager, having reason to believe that such riot was likely to be committed or that the unlawful assembly by which such riot was committed was likely to be held, shall not respectively use all lawful means in his or their power to prevent such assembly or riot from taking place, and for suppressing and dispersing the same.
IPC Section 155: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 155 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of “Liability of person for whose benefit riot is committed.” This section states that if an offence is committed during a riot and it can be shown that the rioters were acting for the benefit of another person or group, that person or group can be held legally liable even if they were not directly involved in the riot.
This law is designed to prevent individuals or entities from indirectly instigating or benefiting from violent actions without facing the consequences. Essentially, it extends legal responsibility to those who might have incited or motivated the riotous behaviour.
Is IPC Section 155 Bailable?
Section 155 of the IPC does not specify whether an offence is bailable or not. Typically, whether an offence is bailable or non-bailable depends on its seriousness and the court’s discretion. Generally, the court will consider the nature of the offence, the context, and the evidence before determining bail.
IPC Section 155 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 155 is not explicitly detailed within the section itself. The courts typically determine the penalty based on the severity of the riot, the damage caused, and the extent of the accused person’s involvement or benefit from the riot. The sentencing could range from fines to imprisonment, depending on these factors.
Example of IPC Section 155
A real-life example of IPC Section 155 could involve a political leader who instigates supporters to engage in a riot to disrupt a rival’s rally. If the violence breaks out and it is proven that the supporters acted to benefit the political leader, that leader could be held liable under IPC Section 155 for the damages and consequences of the riot, even if they were not present at the scene.
