IPC Section 490
IPC Section 490 – Printing or engraving matter with intent to provoke breach of peace
What It Says
This section makes it a crime if a person prints, engraves, or publishes any material with the intent to provoke others to commit an offense or disturb public peace.
Key Elements
Act of Printing or Engraving
The person prints, engraves, or publishes something in writing, newspaper, pamphlet, book, or any form of engraved material.
Intent
The key part is intent.
The material must be intended to:
Incite people to commit a crime, or
Cause public disorder or breach of peace.
Knowledge vs Intent
It is not enough that the material may accidentally provoke.
The intent to provoke must be established.
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 2 years, or
Fine, or
Both.
Example / Illustration
Publishing a pamphlet urging people to attack a certain community.
Engraving messages on walls calling for riots or public disorder.
In both cases, the person intends to provoke crime or breach of peace, so it falls under Section 490.
Purpose of Section 490
To prevent the spread of material that can disturb public order.
Protects society from incitement to violence or unrest.
✅ In short: Section 490 IPC punishes anyone who prints, engraves, or publishes material with the intent to provoke people to commit crimes or disturb public peace, with imprisonment up to 2 years, fine, or both.
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