This section applies to helping any prisoner escape, like someone in a normal jail for theft.

It specifically covers only 'State prisoners' and 'prisoners of war' — special categories under the IPC, not ordinary criminal prisoners, who are covered by other sections like 225.

You must actively help the prisoner escape to be punished under this law.

The section also punishes hiding an escaped prisoner afterward, or resisting their recapture, even if you had nothing to do with the original escape.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 130

repealed

Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner

Whoever knowingly aids or assists any State prisoner or prisoner of war in escaping from lawful custody, or rescues or attempts to rescue any such prisoner, or harbours or conceals any such prisoner who has escaped from lawful custody, or offers or attempts to offer any resistance to the recapture of such prisoner shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.§

Why this exists

This section is part of a special IPC chapter dealing with state prisoners and prisoners of war — categories tied to national security and international armed conflict, not ordinary criminal custody. Colonial-era lawmakers wanted strict deterrence against anyone helping such persons escape or evade recapture, since their custody often involved political or military sensitivities. The heavy punishment reflects the seriousness attached to breaches of custody involving the state's security interests, distinguishing it from the lesser punishment for aiding escape of ordinary prisoners under other IPC sections.

Common misconceptions

Myth: This section applies to helping any prisoner escape, like someone in a normal jail for theft.
Fact: It specifically covers only 'State prisoners' and 'prisoners of war' — special categories under the IPC, not ordinary criminal prisoners, who are covered by other sections like 225.
Myth: You must actively help the prisoner escape to be punished under this law.
Fact: The section also punishes hiding an escaped prisoner afterward, or resisting their recapture, even if you had nothing to do with the original escape.