Section 173 of IPC : Section 173: Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi receives a court summons to appear as a witness in a criminal case. Knowing that he does not want to get involved, Ravi intentionally avoids the process server who is trying to deliver the summons. He changes his residence temporarily and instructs his family members to tell the process server that he is not available. By doing so, Ravi is preventing the service of the summons on himself. Under Section 173 of the Indian Penal Code, Ravi can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to one month, or with a fine up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Example 2:

Priya is a tenant in an apartment building. The landlord has a legal notice from the municipal corporation to vacate the building due to safety concerns. The notice is affixed to the main entrance of the building. Priya, not wanting to move out, intentionally removes the notice from the entrance. By doing this, Priya is preventing the lawful affixing of the notice. Under Section 173 of the Indian Penal Code, Priya can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to one month, or with a fine up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Example 3:

A public servant issues a proclamation for a public auction of a property due to unpaid taxes. The proclamation is to be made in the local newspaper and also affixed at the property site. Rajesh, who is interested in the property and wants to prevent others from knowing about the auction, bribes the newspaper vendor to not publish the proclamation and also removes the notice from the property site. By doing this, Rajesh is preventing the lawful making of the proclamation. Under Section 173 of the Indian Penal Code, Rajesh can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to one month, or with a fine up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Example 4:

Sunita receives a court order to produce certain documents in a civil case. She intentionally hides the documents and avoids the process server who is trying to deliver the order. By doing this, Sunita is preventing the service of the court order on herself. Under Section 173 of the Indian Penal Code, since the order is to produce a document in a Court of Justice, Sunita can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to six months, or with a fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.