Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offense of disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant. It states that:

“188. Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant:- Whoever, knowing that, by an order promulgated by a public servant lawfully empowered to promulgate such order, he is directed to abstain from a certain act, or to take certain order with certain property in his possession or under his management, disobeys such direction, shall, if such disobedience causes or tends to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, annoyance or injury, to any person lawfully employed, be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both; and if such disobedience causes or trends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Explanation- It is not necessary that the offender should intend to produce harm, or contemplate his disobedience as likely to produce harm. It is sufficient that he knows of the order which he disobeys, and that his disobedience produces, or is likely to produce, harm.”

In simpler terms, this section makes it an offense to disobey an order issued by a public servant if such disobedience results in obstruction, annoyance, injury, or danger to human life, health, safety, or causes a riot. The punishment for this offense includes imprisonment for a specific period or a fine, depending on the consequences of the disobedience.