Section 324 of BNS : Section 324: Mischief.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, upset with his neighbor Suresh over a property dispute, decides to take revenge. One night, Ravi sneaks into Suresh's garden and cuts down several of his expensive plants and trees. Ravi knows that this will cause Suresh significant financial loss and emotional distress. By doing this, Ravi has committed mischief under Section 324 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

Example 2:

Priya, a disgruntled employee, decides to get back at her employer by damaging office property. She intentionally spills water on the office computers, knowing that this will render them useless and cause a significant financial loss to the company. Priya's actions constitute mischief as she knowingly caused damage to the property with the intent to cause wrongful loss.

Example 3:

During a protest, Raj, an activist, throws stones at a government building, breaking several windows. Raj's actions result in damage to government property. Under Section 324, Raj has committed mischief and can be punished with imprisonment or a fine, or both, depending on the extent of the damage caused.

Example 4:

Sunil, who has a joint ownership of a car with his friend Amit, gets into an argument with Amit. In a fit of rage, Sunil deliberately scratches the car's paint and breaks its windshield, intending to cause financial loss to Amit. Sunil's actions fall under the definition of mischief as he intentionally damaged the jointly owned property.

Example 5:

Meena, who has insured her house, decides to set it on fire to claim the insurance money. She knows that this will cause significant damage to the property and intends to deceive the insurance company. Meena's act of setting her own house on fire with such intent is considered mischief under Section 324.

Example 6:

During a village feud, Ramesh releases his cattle into his rival's (Vikram's) field, knowing that the cattle will destroy Vikram's crops. Ramesh's actions are aimed at causing financial loss to Vikram. By doing this, Ramesh has committed mischief as per the provisions of Section 324.

Example 7:

Anil, who owes money to his creditor, decides to destroy his own assets to prevent the creditor from seizing them. He burns his furniture and other valuable items, knowing that this will prevent the creditor from recovering the debt. Anil's deliberate destruction of his own property to cause loss to the creditor is an act of mischief.

Example 8:

During a festival, a group of teenagers, including Arjun, decide to have some "fun" by bursting firecrackers near parked cars. One of the firecrackers causes a car to catch fire, resulting in significant damage. Arjun and his friends, by their reckless actions, have committed mischief as they caused damage to someone else's property.

Example 9:

Kavita, in an attempt to scare her neighbor, throws a stone at his window, shattering the glass. She knows that this will cause her neighbor to incur repair costs. Kavita's intentional act of breaking the window constitutes mischief under Section 324.

Example 10:

During a family dispute, Rohit, in a fit of anger, smashes his brother's mobile phone against the wall, knowing that this will render it unusable and cause financial loss to his brother. Rohit's deliberate act of damaging the mobile phone is considered mischief.