Indian Penal Code Section 18
Section 18: Whoever, being in any public place, wilfully disturbs any assembly lawfully assembled, for any lawful purpose, by act or words, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both. Here is a further explanation on Indian Penal Code Section 18.
Explanation
This section deals with the offence of obstructing or disrupting a lawful assembly in a public place. It punishes individuals who intentionally disturb or disrupt the assembly through their actions or words. The assembly must be lawful and assembled for a lawful purpose.
Illustration : indian penal code section 18
- A person shouting slogans and distributing pamphlets during a peaceful protest in a public park, thereby disrupting the protest, would be liable under Section 18.
- A person playing loud music near a school during exam hours, disrupting the students’ concentration, would also be liable under this section.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: What constitutes a “lawful assembly”?
A: A lawful assembly is a gathering of people for a legal purpose, such as a protest, a meeting, or a religious gathering.
Q: What constitutes a “public place”?
A: A public place is any place accessible to the general public, such as a park, a street, or a market.
Q: What are the punishments for violating Section 18?
A: The punishment for violating Section 18 includes imprisonment of up to one month, a fine of up to two hundred rupees, or both.
