Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 284
Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
Whoever knowingly or negligently conveys, or causes to be conveyed for hire, any person by water in any vessel, when that vessel is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger the life of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Why this exists
Ferry and boat accidents caused by overloading or unseaworthy vessels are a recurring cause of preventable deaths in India, particularly during festivals, floods, or rural river crossings. This section, continuing the old IPC Section 282, holds boat operators criminally accountable for knowingly or carelessly putting paying passengers at risk through unsafe or overloaded transport.