Delhi Police Act, 1978 | Section 86

Section 86 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978: Offensive Acts in or Near Streets and Public Places

Section 86 regulates certain activities carried out in or near public streets where they cause annoyance to neighbouring residents or passers-by. It covers animal slaughter, cleaning carcasses or hides, and bathing or washing in public view, subject to the statutory wording and the exception for designated places.

Text of Section 86

86. Doing offensive acts in or near a street or public place. No person shall slaughter any animal, clean a carcass or hide, or bathe or wash his person in or near to and within sight of a street or public place, except at a place set apart for the purpose, so as to cause annoyance to the neighbouring residents or to passers-by.

Source: Delhi Police Act, 1978 (official India Code PDF).

Meaning and scope of Section 86

The provision is a public-order and nuisance rule. Its focus is not every instance of washing or every lawful activity involving animals, but the specified conduct in the stated public setting and its effect on neighbouring residents or passers-by.

1. Slaughtering an animal

Slaughtering an animal in or near a street or public place, within public view and in circumstances causing the annoyance described in Section 86, may attract the prohibition. Other applicable municipal, food-safety and animal-welfare requirements must be considered separately.

2. Cleaning a carcass or hide

Cleaning an animal carcass or hide in the covered location is expressly included. The provision is relevant to activities that create offensive conditions visible from public streets or places and cause the specified annoyance.

3. Bathing or washing the person

Section 86 also mentions bathing or washing one's person. Its application depends on the statutory location, visibility, designated-place exception and annoyance requirements; it should not be described as a general prohibition on personal hygiene.

4. Places set apart for the purpose

The wording expressly recognises places set apart for the relevant purpose. Whether a particular site is authorised should be checked against the competent authority's applicable orders, licences and local rules. Designation does not automatically waive requirements imposed by other laws.

What must be considered when applying the provision?

Conduct: Whether the activity was animal slaughter, carcass or hide cleaning, or bathing or washing the person.
Location and visibility: Whether it occurred in or near, and within sight of, a street or public place.
Designated site: Whether the location was set apart for the purpose.
Annoyance: Whether the conduct caused annoyance to neighbouring residents or passers-by, as stated in the provision.

The facts and evidence in each case matter. Section 86 should not be extended to conduct that is not covered by its language.

Penalty under Section 97

Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 prescribes the penalty for contraventions of Sections 80 to 96, including Section 86. The statutory text provides, upon conviction, a fine that may extend to Rs. 100 or, in default of payment of the fine, imprisonment for a term not exceeding eight days. The default imprisonment is not stated as an independent alternative sentence.

These figures reflect the official statutory text consulted; check any subsequent amendment or applicable notification before relying on a penalty in proceedings.

Section 88 separately concerns bathing or washing in or beside specified water sources where not set apart or where prohibited by competent-authority order. Section 89 concerns defiling water in public sources. Section 83 addresses obstruction in streets and public places. Each provision has distinct requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Does Section 86 prohibit all bathing in public?

No. The precise statutory conditions, including the location, visibility, designated-place exception and annoyance, must be considered.

Is animal slaughter prohibited everywhere under Section 86?

No. Section 86 addresses the specified public-setting conduct. Separate laws and licensing requirements may impose additional restrictions.

What is the punishment for violating Section 86?

Section 97 states a fine up to Rs. 100 upon conviction, with imprisonment up to eight days in default of payment of that fine, subject to verification of the law applicable to the case.

Official legal references

This article is general legal information, not advice on a particular case. Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.