The Chapter VIII of the Indian Penal Code contains the provisions relating to Offences against Public Tranquility. This category of offence is not only an offence against the person and property of an individual but also an offence against the State.
The offences specified in this chapter are called ‘group offences’ which are generally committed by a large number of persons resulting to disturbance of public tranquility or breach of peace. On the basis of the nature and magnitude of the act of the offences, such offences may be broadly classified into four categories, namely, Unlawful Assembly, Rioting, Promoting Enmity between Different Classes and Affray.