Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 297
repealedTrespassing on burial places, etc
Whoever, with the intention of wounding the feelings of any person, or of insulting the religion of any person, or with the knowledge that the feelings of any person are likely to be wounded, or that the religion of any person is likely to be insulted thereby, commits any trespass in any place of worship or on any place of sepulture, or any place set apart for the performance of funeral rites or as a depository for the remains of the dead, or offers any indignity to any human corpse, or causes disturbance to any persons assembled for the performance of funeral ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
Burial grounds, cremation sites, and funeral ceremonies are treated with particular sanctity across religions, and interference with them at such a vulnerable, grieving moment causes deep distress. This section specifically protects these spaces and rites from disrespectful trespass or disturbance motivated by an intent to insult religion or wound feelings. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this offence continues under a renumbered section.