Whoever commits mischief by doing any act which renders or which he knows to be likely to render any public road, bridge, navigable river or navigable channel, natural or artificial, impassable or less safe for travelling or conveying property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 431: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 431 addresses the offence of mischief involving the injury to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rivers, or channels. This section applies when an individual intentionally or knowingly causes damage or obstruction to any public road, bridge, river, or channel, thereby rendering it less useful or impeding its intended function. The key elements of this offence are the intentional act of causing harm and the resultant disruption or diminishment of the utility of public infrastructure.
Is IPC Section 431 bailable?
IPC Section 431 is bailable. Given that the offence involves damage to public infrastructure rather than direct physical harm to individuals, it allows for the possibility of bail under judicial discretion.
IPC Section 431 Punishment
The punishment under IPC Section 431 involves imprisonment of either description for a term extending to five years, with a fine, or with both. The severity of the punishment reflects the importance of maintaining public infrastructure and the significant impact of such acts on community welfare and safety.
Example of IPC Section 431
A real-life example of IPC Section 431 involved an individual who, in protest against local government policies, deliberately damaged a newly constructed bridge by setting fire to its wooden supports. This act of vandalism rendered the bridge unsafe and unusable, causing significant inconvenience to the local population who relied on it for daily commutes and transportation of goods. The authorities arrested the individual and charged him under IPC Section 431 for causing injury to public infrastructure. In court, he was found guilty, sentenced to four years in prison, and fined, highlighting the serious legal consequences of damaging public infrastructure and the disruption caused to community life.
