Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Classification of Offence as per Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

• Punishment:
  • Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
• Cognizable
• Non-Bailable
• Triable by Any Magistrate.