Section 284 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

10 Jun 2025 --
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Here’s a detailed overview of Section 284 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, from Chapter XV — Offences affecting public health, safety, convenience, decency and morals:

📘 Section 284 – Negligent Conduct with Respect to Poisonous Substance

⚖️ Offence Defined

A person commits this offence when they:

Handle any poisonous substance in a rash or negligent manner such that it endangers human life or is likely to cause injury, or

Knowingly or negligently fail to take adequate precautions with such a substance in their possession or charge to guard against probable danger to life

🏛️ Punishment

Imprisonment: Up to 6 months (simple or rigorous)

Fine: Up to ₹1,000

Or both, at the court’s discretion

🧾 Legal Classification & Procedure

Cognizable: Yes — police may arrest without a warrant

Bailable: Yes

Non‑compoundable: (Typical for Chapter XV offences)

Triable by: Any Magistrate

✅ Key Elements to Prove

Element	Details
Act or Omission	Handling or mismanaging a poisonous substance
Manner	Rash or negligent handling, or failure to guard against danger
Consequences	Act is dangerous to life or likely to cause hurt/injury
Knowledge/Negligence	Offender was aware of risk or should have taken precautions

🔍 Practical Implications

Examples:

Improper storage of industrial chemicals leading to risk of spills.

A lab technician failing to secure toxic substances, causing exposure risk.

Handling pesticides or acids without proper safety measures, recklessly endangering others.

The section mirrors IPC Section 284 (which BNS updated and renumbered) but modernizes the punishment to reflect current public health priorities

🧭 Broader Context in BNS

Related to other hazardous-matter offences in Chapter XV, such as:

Section 285: Fire or combustible materials

Section 286: Explosive substances

Section 287: Machinery

Section 288: Building demolition/repair

Section 289: Animals

These sections uniformly prescribe similar penalties—up to 6 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine up to ₹1,000—for negligent conduct involving potentially harmful agents