Home  /  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita  /  Section 325

Section 325: Mischief by Killing or Maiming Animal

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter XVII: Of Offences Against Property • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter XVII: Of Offences Against Property
Magistrate 1st Class
Bailable
Cognizable
Formerly Sec 428, 429 IPC
Section 324 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 326

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 325

Section 325 punishes committing mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless any animal.

  • Targeted Animal: Cattle, horse, mule, dog, camel, or domesticated livestock.
  • Act of Violence: Killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering permanently useless.
  • Wrongful Loss: Inflicting economic loss on owner and unnecessary cruelty on the animal.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja (2014) 7 SCC 547: The Supreme Court affirmed animal rights under Article 21, directing strict enforcement of penal and animal protection provisions against cruelty and maiming.
  • State of Maharashtra v. Vishwanath Dnyanoba (1979) 4 SCC 23: Affirmed that poisoning livestock to avenge agricultural boundary feuds constitutes aggravated criminal mischief.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Post-mortem and forensic viscera reports by a government veterinary officer certifying poison (strychnine, organophosphate) or traumatic hemorrhage are mandatory.

Section 324 All 358 Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 326