Section 326 of BNS : Section 326: Mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a farmer in a rural village, is upset with his neighbor, Suresh, over a land dispute. In retaliation, Ravi decides to block the canal that supplies water to Suresh's fields. As a result, Suresh's crops begin to wither due to lack of water. Under Section 326(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Ravi can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, or with a fine, or both, for causing a diminution of the water supply for agricultural purposes.

Example 2:

A group of vandals decide to sabotage a newly constructed bridge by removing several key support bolts, making the bridge unsafe for travel. This act renders the bridge less safe for public use. Under Section 326(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the vandals can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, or with a fine, or both, for making a public bridge less safe for travelling.

Example 3:

During the monsoon season, Ramesh intentionally blocks a public drainage system near his house to divert water away from his property, causing flooding in the nearby residential area. This act leads to significant damage to the homes and properties of his neighbors. Under Section 326(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Ramesh can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, or with a fine, or both, for causing an inundation that results in injury or damage.

Example 4:

A disgruntled former employee of the railway department decides to tamper with the railway signals, causing confusion and potential danger for train operators. This act makes the signals less useful as a guide for navigators. Under Section 326(d) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the former employee can be punished with imprisonment for up to seven years, or with a fine, or both, for destroying or moving any sign or signal used for navigation of rail.

Example 5:

An individual, in an attempt to claim more land, moves a landmark stone that was fixed by the local municipal authority to demarcate property boundaries. This act renders the landmark less useful for its intended purpose. Under Section 326(e) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the individual can be punished with imprisonment for up to one year, or with a fine, or both, for destroying or moving any landmark fixed by the authority of a public servant.

Example 6:

A person sets fire to a stack of harvested wheat belonging to a rival farmer, causing significant damage to the agricultural produce. Under Section 326(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the person can be punished with imprisonment for up to seven years, and shall also be liable to a fine, for causing damage to property including agricultural produce by fire.

Example 7:

In an act of arson, a person sets fire to a local temple, causing extensive damage to the building. Under Section 326(g) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the person can be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for up to ten years, and shall also be liable to a fine, for causing the destruction of a building ordinarily used as a place of worship by fire.