Discuss the negligent conduct with respect to- (A) Poisonous substance (B) Fire or combustible matter, (C) Explosive substance, (D) Machinery  (E) Pulling down or repairing buildings, and (F) Animal

Question: Discuss the negligent conduct with respect to: (A) Poisonous substance (B) Fire or combustible matter, (C) Explosive substance, (D) Machinery (E) Pulling down or repairing buildings, and (F) Animal

Find the answer to the mains question only on Legal Bites. [Discuss the negligent conduct with respect to- (A) Poisonous substance (B) Fire or combustible matter, (C) Explosive substance, (D) Machinery (E) Pulling down or repairing buildings, and (F) Animal]

ANSWER

(A) Poisonous Substance

Section 284 deals with Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances.—

Whoever does, with any poisonous substance, any act in a manner so rash or negligent to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any person,

or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any poisonous substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such poisonous substance,

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.

(B) Fire or combustible matter

Section 285 deals with Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.— 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 one thousand rupees, or with both.

In Kurban Hussein Mohamedalli Rangawalla v. State of Maharashtra [AIR 1965 SC 1616], the accused was the owner of a factory manufacturing paints and varnish. He had a license to manufacture only by a cold process. He converted the factory from the cold process of manufacturing to the heat process. For that purpose, he installed four burners. The resin was heated in the burners and lime was added. Then, turpentine was poured into the mixture.

The mixture started frothing and overflowed out of the barrel and because of the heat, varnish, and turpentine which were stored at a short distance caught fire. The fire spread rapidly due to the presence of combustible material in the premises, resulting in the death of seven workers and the burn injuries of seven others. The accused was convicted under s 285, IPC.

(C) Explosive substance

Section 286 talks about Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance. It states:

• whoever does, with any explosive substance, 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 explosive substance in his possession
• as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance,

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.

(D) Machinery

Section 287 deals with Negligent conduct with respect to machinery. It states as under:

Whoever does, with any machinery:

• 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 machinery in his possession or under his care
• as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from such machinery,

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.

(E) Pulling down or repairing buildings, and

Section 288 deals with Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings.

Whoever, in pulling down or repairing any building, knowingly or negligently:

• omits to take such order with that building
• as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from the fall of that building, or of any part thereof,

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.

(F) Animal

Section 289 deals with Negligent conduct with respect to animals. The essential ingredients of the section are:

• Whoever knowingly or negligently
• omits to take such order with any animal in his possession
• as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life,
• or any probable danger of grievous hurt from such animal,

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.

---

Important Mains Questions Series for Judiciary, APO & University Exams

1. IPC Mains Questions Series Part I: Important Questions
2. IPC Mains Questions Series Part II: Important Questions
3. IPC Mains Questions Series Part III: Important Questions
4. IPC Mains Questions Series Part IV: Important Questions
5. IPC Mains Questions Series Part V: Important Questions
6. IPC Mains Questions Series Part VI: Important Questions
7. IPC Mains Questions Series Part VII: Important Questions
8. IPC Mains Questions Series Part VIII: Important Questions
9. IPC Mains Questions Series Part IX: Important Questions
10. IPC Mains Questions Series Part X: Important Questions