Section 188:
Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.
Whoever, knowing that, by an
order promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, he is directed to
abstain from a certain act, or to take certain order with certain property in his possession or under his
management, disobeys such direction,
shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of
obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any persons lawfully employed, be punished with simple
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred
rupees, or with both;
and if such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or
tends to cause a riot or affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which
may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Explanation.—It is not necessary that the offender should intend to produce harm, or contemplate his
disobedience as likely to produce harm. It is sufficient that he knows of the order which he disobeys, and
that his disobedience produces, or is likely to produce, harm.
Illustration
An order is promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, directing that a religious
procession shall not pass down a certain street. A knowingly disobeys the order, and thereby causes danger of riot. A has
committed the offence defined in this section.