IPC Section 426
Section 426 – Punishment for Mischief
This section deals with mischief, which means intentionally or knowingly causing damage to someone else’s property.
Main Provisions
Act Covered (Mischief)
If a person destroys, damages, or alters someone else’s property with intent to cause wrongful loss, it is considered mischief.
Examples of property include:
Movable property (like a vehicle, machine, or goods)
Immovable property (like a house, wall, or land)
Intention
The act must be intentional or done knowingly.
Accidental damage is not covered under this section.
Punishment
Imprisonment for up to 2 years, or
Fine, or
Both.
Purpose of the Law
To protect property from intentional damage.
To prevent people from causing loss or harm to others’ property.
Example
Suppose Rahul breaks the window of Ramesh’s shop intentionally.
Even if Rahul does not steal anything, he has committed mischief under Section 426 IPC, because he damaged property intentionally.
Connection with Other Sections
Section 425 IPC: Defines mischief (the act itself).
Section 427 IPC: Punishment for mischief causing damage of ₹50 or more (a more serious punishment if the loss is significant).
✅ In short:
Section 426 IPC punishes anyone who commits mischief (intentionally damages or destroys someone else’s property) with imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
RELATED Blog
0 comments