Indian Penal Code 1860
Section 153B :
1.[Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration:
(See section 197 of BNS 2023)
Classification of Offence:
Offence: Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.
Punishment :Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or Non-cognizable :Cognizable
Bailable or Non-bailable :Non-bailable
Compoundable or Non-compoundable : Non-compoundable
By Which Court Triable :Any Magistrate (Magistrate of the First class: Not yet enforced)
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Offence: If committed in a place of public worship, etc.
Punishment :Imprisonment for 5 years and fine.
Cognizable or Non-cognizable :Cognizable
Bailable or Non-bailable :Non-bailable
Compoundable or Non-compoundable : Non-compoundable
By Which Court Triable :Magistrate of the First class
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(1) Whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise,-
(a) makes or publishes any imputation that any class of persons cannot, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established or uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, or
(b) asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that any class or persons shall, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, be denied or deprived of their rights as citizens of India, or
(c) makes or publishes any assertion, counsel, plea or appeal concerning the obligation of any class of persons, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, and such assertion, counsel, plea or appeal causes or is likely to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between such members and other persons, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) Whoever commits an offence specified in sub-section (1), in any place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and shall be liable to fine.]
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1. Ins. by Act 31 of 1972, s. 2.
