Section 291 Explained — IPC, BNS & CrPC Meaning

Introduction — One Section Number, Many Different Legal Meanings

If you search for Section 291, you’ll quickly realise something confusing — the same section number does not mean the same thing across different Indian laws.

Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 291 is about continuing a public nuisance even after being ordered to stop (see the IPC text on the India Code portal here: https://www.indiacode.nic.in).

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — the new criminal law — Section 291 has a completely different meaning and deals with negligent conduct with respect to animals. You can refer to the official BNS framework here:
https://bns.gov.in (or consolidated text via India Code).

And in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Section 291 isn’t even an offence — it is a procedural provision about deposition of medical witnesses. Reference copy available here:
https://legislative.gov.in/actsofparliamentfromtheyear/code-criminal-procedure-1973

To make it more confusing, people often assume Section 291 also exists in the IT Act or Companies Act — but it doesn’t apply there in the way they think. For clarity, refer to the official acts here:

• Information Technology Act, 2000 — https://www.meity.gov.in

• Companies Act, 2013 — https://www.mca.gov.in

So, let’s break everything down simply —
Act-wise, meaning-wise, and purpose-wise — with examples.

No jargon. No legal fog. Just clarity.

⭐ Section 291 — Quick Reference Table (At a Glance)

🟢 Section 291 Under IPC — “Continuance of Nuisance After Order to Stop”

Reference (India Code Act Library):
https://www.indiacode.nic.in

Meaning in simple words

Section 291 IPC says:

Whoever repeats or continues a public nuisance even after being ordered by a lawful public servant to stop — shall be punished.

This applies where a person:

• causes disturbance or inconvenience to the public, and

• is ordered to discontinue it, but

• still repeats or continues the nuisance.

Punishment

• Imprisonment up to 6 months, or

• Fine, or

• Both

Real-life example

A shopkeeper blocks a public footpath with goods. The municipal officer orders him to clear it. He clears it — but later blocks it again.

➡️ That can become an offence under Section 291 IPC.

Important update

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, this offence is now re-numbered as Section 293.

🟡 Section 291 Under BNS — “Negligent Conduct with Respect to Animals”

Reference (BNS Framework Overview):
https://bns.gov.in

This section is not the same as IPC Section 291.

Meaning

Section 291 BNS punishes a person who:

• knowingly or negligently fails to take proper care or safety measures for an animal in their possession, and

• such negligence creates probable danger to human life or grievous hurt.

Punishment

• Up to 6 months’ imprisonment, or

• Fine up to ₹5,000, or

• Both

Example

A person keeps an aggressive dog unchained in a public area and it attacks a passer-by.

➡️ This may fall under Section 291 BNS.

Correspondence

This provision evolved from IPC Section 289, not IPC 291.

So:

• IPC 291 ≠ BNS 291

• BNS 291 = Former IPC 289

🔵 Section 291 Under CrPC — Evidence of Medical Witness

Reference (CrPC Act Text):
https://legislative.gov.in/actsofparliamentfromtheyear/code-criminal-procedure-1973

This is not an offence section.

It allows:

A deposition of a medical professional recorded before a Magistrate to be used as evidence in trial, without recalling the witness — provided due process was followed.

Purpose:

• avoids recalling doctors unnecessarily

• speeds up trials

• preserves valid medical testimony

The BNSS equivalent section serves a different procedural role — numbering does not match.

❌ Section 291 — IT Act & Companies Act (Not Applicable)

There is no Section 291 in:

• Information Technology Act, 2000 — https://www.meity.gov.in

• Companies Act, 2013 — https://www.mca.gov.in

…that defines an offence, liability, or major legal principle.

Most online confusion comes from mislabelled content or copied notes.

⚠️ Common Confusions & Mistakes

• ❌ Assuming Section 291 has one universal meaning

• ❌ Mixing BNS 291 with IPC 291

• ❌ Believing it applies to IT Act or Companies Act

Each Act has its own purpose, context, and structure.

🧭 How to Read Section Numbers Correctly (Practical Tips)

• Always check which Act the section belongs to

• Don’t rely on section number alone

• Read the provision title + description

• Identify whether it is:

  • an offence

  • a procedure

  • not applicable

Law is contextual — the same number can mean different things across statutes.

💡 Pro Tips (For Students, Lawyers & Readers)

• Search using: “Section 291 + Act Name”

• Cross-verify using:

  • India Code Portal — https://www.indiacode.nic.in

  • Official Government Sources

• Always confirm:

  • provision name

  • scope

  • punishment

  • recodification status

Conclusion — Section 291 Is a Number, Not a Single Law

Section 291 is just a section number — not one fixed offence.

Across laws, it means different things:

• IPC — continuing a nuisance after order to stop

• BNS — negligent conduct with respect to animals

• CrPC — procedural rule for medical witness depositions

• IT Act & Companies Act — not applicable

Understanding the Act-specific context is what truly matters.

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