A police officer may of his own authority interpose to prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his view to any public property, movable or immovable, or the removal or injury of any public landmark, buoy or other mark used for navigation.
CHAPTER XII PREVENTIVE ACTION OF THE POLICE
Section 171: Prevention of injury to public property
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Corresponding CrPC provision
As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table