IPC Section 504 - Intentional insult with intent to provoke

Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

The key elements of this offence are:

The insult must be intentional.
The insult must be such that it is likely to provoke the person to break the public peace or commit any other offence.

The term “insult” is not defined in the IPC, but it is generally understood to mean any act or speech that is intended to hurt or degrade the dignity of another person. Some examples of insults that may fall under Section 504 IPC include:

Calling someone names
Making derogatory remarks about someone’s race, religion, or caste
Threatening or intimidating someone
Spreading false rumors about someone

It is important to note that not all insults will amount to an offence under Section 504 IPC. The insult must be such that it is likely to provoke the person to break the public peace or commit any other offence. For example, calling someone a “stupid idiot” is not likely to provoke them to break the public peace, so it would not amount to an offence under Section 504 IPC.

The offence of intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace is a non-cognizable and bailable offence. This means that the police cannot arrest a person without a warrant for this offence, and the accused person has the right to be released on bail.

The offence is also compoundable, which means that the victim can forgive the accused person and the case can be withdrawn.

If you are accused of an offence under Section 504 IPC, it is important to seek legal advice immediately. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and represent you in court if necessary.