Mischief, whoever with intent to cause of knowing that he is likely to cause, wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person causes the destruction of any property or any such change in the property or in the situation thereof as destroys or diminishes its value or utility or affects it injuriously commits mischief. (See Indian Penal Code, s. 425).
--This word is often used as signifying the object or purpose of a statute.
It shall have the same meaning as in s. 425 of the Indian Penal Code. [Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, s. 2 (a)]