You can only be punished under this rule if you deliberately try to infect someone.

This section covers careless or negligent conduct that risks spreading a dangerous disease; deliberate, malicious spreading is covered by the separate, more serious next section.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 271

Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life

Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.§

Why this exists

Public health depends on individuals not carelessly exposing others to serious contagious disease. This provision, carried forward from the old IPC Section 269, targets negligent (rather than deliberately malicious) conduct that risks spreading such disease, and it gained widespread public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was used against people who broke quarantine or isolation rules.

Common misconceptions

Myth: You can only be punished under this rule if you deliberately try to infect someone.
Fact: This section covers careless or negligent conduct that risks spreading a dangerous disease; deliberate, malicious spreading is covered by the separate, more serious next section.