Section 287 BNS: Negligent Conduct with Respect to Fire or Combustible Matter (Formerly Section 285 IPC)

Section 287 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Negligent Conduct with Respect to Fire or Combustible Matter

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

Whoever does, with fire or any combustible matter, any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any fire or any combustible matter in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such fire or combustible matter, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 287

Section 287 penalises doing any act in a rash or negligent manner with respect to fire or any combustible matter, or failing to take adequate precautions with fire or combustible substances in one's possession.

Fire or Combustible Matter: Petrol, LPG, solvents, fireworks, dry straw, or open industrial flames.
Rash or Negligent Conduct: Careless smoking near fuel dumps, failing to install functional fire sprinklers, or storing flammable matter without license.
Endangerment to Life or Property: Creating imminent hazard of conflagration and loss of human life.

Key Landmark Precedents:

Sushil Ansal v. State through CBI (2014) 6 SCC 173: The Uphaar Cinema Tragedy: The Supreme Court held cinema owners criminally negligent under penal law for failing to maintain electrical transformers and blocking fire exits.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (2011) 14 SCC 481: Affirmed that commercial establishments have an inescapable duty of care to implement comprehensive fire safety infrastructure.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Produce the Chief Fire Officer's inspection report showing absence of Fire NOC, locked emergency fire exits, or dysfunctional hydrants to prove criminal culpability.

Section 287: Negligent Conduct with Respect to Fire or Combustible Matter

Section 287 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Negligent Conduct with Respect to Fire or Combustible Matter

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 287