Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 270
repealedMalignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
Whoever malignantly 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 two years, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
This section punishes the same kind of dangerous conduct as the previous one, but where the person acts out of malice, that is, deliberately trying to cause harm rather than merely being careless. Because deliberate intent to spread a dangerous disease is far more blameworthy than negligence, the maximum punishment here is four times higher. Replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective 1 July 2024.