Whoever exhibits any false light, mark or buoy, intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 281: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 281 deals with the exhibition of false lights, marks or buoys intended to mislead navigators. Specifically, it states: Whoever exhibits any false light, mark or buoy, intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
The key points are: It is a criminal offence to exhibit any false light, mark or buoy
- The intention must be to mislead navigators
- The punishment can be up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine, or both
In essence, IPC Section 281 is a stern measure against the deliberate use of misleading navigational aids that could potentially jeopardize the safety of ships and boats. Its primary objective is to avert navigational hazards and sea accidents.
Is IPC Section 281 bailable?
Yes, IPC Section 281 is a bailable offence. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 281 deals with the exhibition of false lights, marks, or buoys intended to mislead navigators. The punishment for this offence can be up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. However, since it is a bailable offence, the accused can be released on bail.
IPC Section 281 Punishment
- According to IPC Section 281, the punishment for exhibiting any false light, mark or buoy intending or knowing it to be likely that such exhibition will mislead any navigator is Imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to seven years or
- Fine, or
- Both imprisonment and fine
The offence is cognizable and bailable, triable by a Magistrate First Class. To reiterate, the maximum punishment is 7 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. However, it’s important to note that the accused can be released on bail.
IPC Section 281 Example
A ship captain intentionally sets up a false lighthouse on the coast, knowing it will mislead navigators and cause ships to run aground. The fake lighthouse is designed to look like the real one but is positioned in a way that will lure ships onto the rocks. The captain commits an offence under IPC Section 281 by exhibiting this false light. He intends to mislead navigators, which is the key criterion for this crime. If the deception is successful and ships crash due to the false lighthouse, the captain could face even more serious charges like culpable homicide not amounting to murder under IPC Section 304 if people die as a result. The punishment for the IPC 281 offence is imprisonment for up to 7 years, a fine, or both. It is a cognizable, bailable offence triable by a Magistrate First Class. So, in summary, intentionally setting up a fake navigational aid like a lighthouse, buoy or marker to mislead ships and cause accidents is the type of scenario covered by IPC Section 281. The deception is the crime, regardless of whether any ships are misled.
