Whoever malignantly spreads infection of life threatening disease is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to __________ years.

The correct answer is '3 years'

Key Points

• Spreading infection of life-threatening disease:
  • The act of intentionally spreading a life-threatening disease is considered a criminal offense under Indian law.
  • It is governed by Section 270 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which addresses actions that are malignantly done to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life.
  • As per this section, the punishment for this offense is imprisonment that may extend up to 3 years, or a fine, or both.
  • This provision aims to deter individuals from engaging in reckless or intentional acts that could endanger public health and safety.

Additional Information

• Explanation of Other Options:
  • Option 1 (4 years): There is no provision under Section 270 or related sections of the IPC that prescribes a punishment of 4 years for spreading infection. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
  • Option 3 (2 years): While some sections of IPC prescribe imprisonment for up to 2 years for other offenses, this is not the case under Section 270, which specifies a maximum term of 3 years.
  • Option 4 (5 years): A 5-year imprisonment term is not applicable under Section 270 of the IPC. This duration is typically prescribed for more severe crimes under different sections of the IPC.
  • Option 5 (Blank): This is not a valid option as it does not provide any specific duration, making it irrelevant to the question.
• Purpose of Section 270:
  • The law seeks to protect public health by criminalizing actions that have the potential to spread dangerous diseases intentionally or recklessly.
  • It plays a vital role in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, especially during pandemics or outbreaks.