Don’t be a ‘Covidiot’: Police may book you under these sections during lockdown
By Amritha Mohan Published on 23 March 2020 9:00 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The Urban Dictionary has coined a new term for people who disobey health authorities and officials amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, that is “Covidiot”. Citizens who ignore public health guidelines and curfew rules and continue to venture out in public can be called ‘Covidiots’.
Meanwhile, the police have also taken it upon themselves to disseminate information as to how citizens can be booked in cases of violation of curfew. Such ‘Covidiots’ can be booked under mainly four sections of the Indian Penal Code. Here are the sections:
1. Section 188 IPC: Violation of order promulgated by the government. This is a cognizable and bailable offence.
2. Section 269 IPC: Negligently doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life. Liable to Imprisonment for 6 months or fine, or both. This is a cognizable and bailable offence.
3. Section 270 IPC: Malignantly doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life. Liable to Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. This is a cognizable and bailable offence.
4. Section 271 IPC: Knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule. Liable to Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine, or both. This is a Non-cognizable offence.
