The agent must have organized or joined the riot to be punished.

The agent doesn't need to have started or participated in the riot. Liability arises from failing to use lawful means to prevent or stop it, despite having reason to believe it was likely.

Any agent connected to the landowner is automatically liable if a riot happens.

The agent is only liable if they had reason to believe the riot or unlawful assembly was likely and did not take lawful steps to prevent or suppress it.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 156

repealed

Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed

Whenever a riot is committed for the benefit or on behalf of any person who is the owner or occupier of any land respecting which such riot takes place, or who claims any interest in such land, or in the subject of any dispute which gave rise to the riot, or who has accepted or derived any benefit therefrom, the agent or manager of such person shall be punishable with fine, if such agent or manager, having reason to believe that such riot was likely to be committed, or that the unlawful assembly by which such riot was committed was likely to be held, shall not use all lawful means in his power to prevent such riot or assembly from taking place and for suppressing and dispersing the same.§

Why this exists

This section is part of a group of IPC provisions (Sections 154–156) that make landowners, occupiers, and their agents responsible for riots connected to their land or interests. Colonial-era lawmakers were concerned about landlords and their managers using or tolerating mob violence to settle land disputes, evict tenants, or intimidate rivals, while staying personally distant from the violence. Section 156 extends this responsibility down to the agents and managers who actually run the estate on the owner's behalf, so that they cannot simply look away from trouble they had reason to foresee.

Common misconceptions

Myth: The agent must have organized or joined the riot to be punished.
Fact: The agent doesn't need to have started or participated in the riot. Liability arises from failing to use lawful means to prevent or stop it, despite having reason to believe it was likely.
Myth: Any agent connected to the landowner is automatically liable if a riot happens.
Fact: The agent is only liable if they had reason to believe the riot or unlawful assembly was likely and did not take lawful steps to prevent or suppress it.