Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the term "public servant." A public servant is someone who is employed by the government or any authority under the government, and their role involves the administration of justice, providing services to the public, or performing duties that benefit society. This could include judges, police officers, teachers, or government officials.
Section 21 does not prescribe punishment directly. It is more of a definitional section used to identify individuals who hold the status of a public servant. However, individuals who misuse this status (such as through corruption, abuse of power, or misconduct) are punishable under other sections of the IPC and related laws.
