CrPC Section 186
Section 186 CrPC — Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
🔹 What does Section 186 say?
“Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.”
Explanation:
This section deals with obstruction or hindrance to a public servant while performing his/her official duties.
If a person willfully or voluntarily prevents, delays, or obstructs a public servant from carrying out their lawful public duties, they can be punished under this section.
The obstruction can be physical, verbal, or any other form of interference.
Who is a Public Servant?
A public servant is anyone who is employed or engaged in an official capacity by the government or a public authority.
Examples include police officers, government officials, revenue officers, municipal employees, judges, etc.
What constitutes “Obstruction”?
Any act that prevents, resists, or hinders a public servant from performing his duty.
Examples:
Physically stopping a police officer from arresting someone.
Not allowing a government officer to inspect property or premises.
Interfering with official records or investigations.
Creating a disturbance during official proceedings.
Punishment under Section 186:
Imprisonment for up to 3 months, or
A fine of up to ₹500, or
Both imprisonment and fine.
Objective of Section 186:
To ensure smooth functioning of public administration.
To protect public servants from unlawful obstruction or harassment during their official work.
To maintain law and order by discouraging interference with lawful official duties.
Relation with Other Sections:
Section 186 is a cognizable offence, but relatively minor.
More serious obstruction, such as assault on public servants, can attract harsher penalties under other sections like Section 353 IPC (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty).
Example:
A police officer is trying to disperse a crowd, and some individuals deliberately block the officer, preventing him from performing his duty.
Those individuals can be charged under Section 186 for obstructing a public servant.
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