Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 287
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 two thousand rupees, or with both.
Why this exists
Fire and flammable materials — gas cylinders, fireworks, chemicals, stored fuel — can cause devastating harm if mishandled, especially in crowded markets or residential areas. This section, continuing the old IPC Section 285, requires people to take reasonable precautions with such materials and punishes both reckless acts and careless failure to secure them properly.