SECTION 187 IPC - Indian Penal Code - Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance

Whoever, being bound by law to render or furnish assistance to any public servant in the execution of his public duty, intentionally omits to give such assistance, shall 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 assistance be demanded of him by a public servant legally competent to make such demand for the purposes of executing any process lawfully issued by a Court of Justice, or of preventing the commission of an offence, or suppressing a riot, or affray, or of apprehending a person charged with or guilty of an offence, or of having escaped from lawful custody, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

IPC 187 in Simple Words

In simple words, Section 187 of the Indian Penal Code states that if someone fails to assist a public servant when legally required to do so, they may be punished with imprisonment or fine. If the assistance is demanded for specific purposes like preventing a crime or apprehending an offender, the punishment may be more severe.

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