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IPC 1860REPEALED

Section 224

Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension

Replaced by: BNS 262

BailableCognizable: CognizableAny Magistrate
THE STATUTE

Original Text

Whoever intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of himself for any offence with which he is charged or for which he has been convicted, or escapes or attempts to escape from any custody in which he is lawfully detained...

Simplified

Section 224 criminalises resistance to one's own lawful arrest or escape from lawful custody — an offence that is complete regardless of the seriousness of the underlying charge. Whether you are being arrested for a parking violation or murder, physically resisting that lawful arrest constitutes Section 224. The provision applies both at the point of arrest and during detention — attempting to escape from a police lock-up, breaking from handcuffs, or fleeing from a courthouse cell are all covered. The key word is 'lawful' — a person resisting an unlawful arrest may have a private defence argument, but resisting a lawful arrest is an independent standalone criminal offence.

Legal Evolution

Section 224 originated in the colonial concern with maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system, particularly preventing suspects from evading lawful custody. Drawn from English law on escape and rescue, it applies to persons resisting their own arrest — distinct from Section 225 which covers assisting another's escape. Courts have held that the resistance must be active, not merely passive non-cooperation.

Landmark Precedents

Pratap Singh v. State of Jharkhand (2005)

(2005) 3 SCC 551
RELEVANCE

Resisting lawful arrest under Section 224 is complete at the moment of intentional physical resistance — it is distinct from the underlying charge for which arrest was being made.

Practical Scenarios

"A suspect running away when a police officer informs them they are under arrest — Section 224."
"An inmate scaling a prison wall to escape — Section 224."

Common Queries

Yes — escaping from 'lawful detention' is a crime under IPC 224, even if you haven't been convicted yet. Lawful detention includes being in handcuffs during a lawful arrest.