Introduction to Section 353 IPC: Assault or Criminal Force to Deter Public Servant
Section 353 IPC : Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty—
“Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person being a public servant in the execution of his duty as such public servant, or with intent to prevent or deter that person from discharging his duty as such public servant, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by such person in the lawful discharge of his duty as such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”
Understanding the Purpose and Implications of Section 353 IPC
Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offense of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty. It provides for punishment to any person who uses force or threatens to use force to prevent a public servant from performing his lawful duty. The section aims to safeguard the authority and dignity of public officials who perform their duties honestly and impartially.
According to Section 353, any person who assaults or uses criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, or with a fine, or both. The offense is cognizable, which means that the police have the power to arrest without a warrant, non-bailable, which means that bail may not be granted to the accused without the permission of the court, and triable by any Magistrate.
Key Elements of the Offense Under Section 353 IPC
The offense under Section 353 of the IPC requires the presence of three elements – firstly, the act must constitute an assault or the use of criminal force, secondly, the assault or use of criminal force must be used against a public servant, and thirdly, the purpose of such an assault or use of force should be to prevent the public servant from discharging his duty. The term ‘public servant’ refers to any person who holds an office by virtue of which he is authorized to perform any public duty.
The Process of Filing a Complaint Under Section 353 IPC
In case of a violation of this section, the public servant has the right to file a complaint against the offender. The complaint is generally filed by the public servant who was the victim of the assault or force, or by any other public servant who was present during the incident. The complaint should be filed in the appropriate court or before the police, who then register an FIR and begin an investigation. If the police find sufficient evidence, the accused is charged with an offense under Section 353 and will be brought before a court for trial.
The Importance of Respecting the Authority of Public Officials
In conclusion, Section 353 of the IPC plays a crucial role in maintaining the authority and dignity of public officials in India. Any attempt to prevent a public servant from performing his duty by using force or threats of force can lead to serious legal consequences. It is important for the general public to be aware of this section and respect the authority of public officials. In case of any violation of this section, it is advisable to seek legal counsel and representation from a qualified lawyer who specializes in criminal law.
