Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The new criminal code replacing IPC 1860. Enacted in 2023, applicable from July 2024. Covers all major offences and punishments.
Short title, commencement and application.
Defines the name of the Act (BNS 2023), its effective date, and its territorial/personal jurisdiction.
Definitions.
Provides 39 comprehensive definitions of terms used throughout the Sanhita, ensuring legal clarity and consistent interpretation.
General explanations
Section 3 of the BNS 2023 provides foundational interpretative rules for the entire Sanhita. It establishes that all penal provisions are subject to "General Exceptions," ensures consistency in the meaning of legal expressions, defines constructive possession (possession by spouse/clerk), clarifies that "acts" include "illegal omissions," and outlines the principle of joint liability when multiple persons act with common criminal intent.
Punishments.
Lists the six types of punishments applicable under the Sanhita: Death, Life Imprisonment, Imprisonment (Rigorous or Simple), Forfeiture of property, Fine, and Community Service.
Commutation of sentence.
Empowers the appropriate Government (Central or State) to commute any punishment to another, as per Section 474 of the BNSS, 2023, without the offender's consent.
Fractions of terms of punishment.
Provides that for the purpose of calculating fractions of punishment, life imprisonment is treated as equivalent to 20 years of imprisonment.
Sentence may be wholly or partly rigorous or simple.
Allows the court to decide if a sentence should be rigorous (hard labor), simple, or a mix of both.
Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc.
Comprehensive consolidated rules for fines: unlimited but not excessive, 1/4th limit on default imprisonment, and thresholds for fine-only offenses.
Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences.
Prevents multiple punishments for the same transaction. If an offense consists of multiple parts that are themselves offences (like multiple blows), the offender is punished for the whole, not for each part.
Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which.
If guilty of multiple offences but uncertain which, the lowest punishment among them applies.
Solitary confinement.
Conditions and scales for awarding solitary confinement to a person sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
Limit of solitary confinement.
Restricts solitary confinement to 14 days at a stretch (7 days if sentence > 3 months) with mandatory intervals.
Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction.
Imposes life imprisonment or up to 10 years for repeat offenders of specific coin/property crimes.
Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.
Protects persons acting under legal obligation or genuine mistake of fact as to their legal duty.
Act of Judge when acting judicially.
Judicial immunity for acts done in good faith within the scope of judicial authority.
Act done pursuant to the judgment or order of Court.
Protects persons executing court orders in good faith, even if the court lacked jurisdiction.
Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law.
Protects acts justified by law or believed to be justified due to mistake of fact.
Accident in doing a lawful act.
Excludes liability for accidents occurring during lawful acts done with due care.
Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm.
Doctrine of Necessity; allows causing smaller harm to prevent significantly larger harm.
Act of a child under seven years of age.
Complete legal immunity for children under 7 years old (Doli Incapax).
Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding.
Conditional immunity for children aged 7-12 based on their maturity.
Act of a person of mental illness.
Immunity for acts done by individuals suffering from mental illness at the time of the offence.
Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will.
Protection for involuntary intoxication where the person loses the capacity to judge.
Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated.
Presumes a person has common knowledge even when intoxicated, unless intoxication was involuntary.
Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent.
Validates consent for activities like sports, provided there is no intent to cause death or grievous hurt.
Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person's benefit.
Protects medical procedures and other beneficial acts done with consent.
Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person with mental illness, by or by consent of guardian.
Allows guardians to consent to beneficial but risky acts for children or mentally ill persons.
Consent known to be given under fear or misconception.
Invalidates consent obtained through fear, misconception, mental illness, intoxication, or from a child under 12.
Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused.
Consent cannot justify acts that are illegal in themselves regardless of harm to the consenting party (e.g., miscarriage).
Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent.
Justifies acts done for a person's benefit in emergencies where consent cannot be obtained.
Communication made in good faith.
Protects communications made in good faith for the benefit of the recipient, even if they cause harm.
Act to which a person is compelled by threats.
Acts done under threat of instant death are not offences, except for murder and capital crimes against the State.
Act causing slight harm.
The law does not recognize trivial harms (De minimis non curat lex).
Things done in private defence.
Fundamental right to defend oneself and others as per the law.
Right of private defence of the body and of property.
Grants the right to defend one's own body and property, and those of others, against specified crimes.
Right of private defence against the act of a person of mental illness, etc.
Retains the right of private defence even if the attacker is legally immune due to age, mental illness, or intoxication.
Acts against which there is no right of private defence.
Limits the right of private defence against public servants, when there's time to seek help, or when excessive force is used.
When the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death.
Specifies extreme circumstances where self-defence can legally result in the death of the attacker.
When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
Limits self-defence to non-lethal force for crimes not covered by Section 38.
Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of the body.
Self-defence begins with the threat of danger and ends when the danger passes.
When the right of private defence of property extends to causing death.
Specifies the four grave property offenses where deadly force is legally permissible in defense.
When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
Restricts the use of lethal force for property crimes that do not fall under the categories defined in Section 41.
Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of property.
Defines when the right to protect property starts and ends for various offences.
Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person.
Permits taking the risk of harming innocent third parties when defending against a deadly assault.
Abetment of a thing.
Defines the three modes of abetment: Instigation, Conspiracy, and Intentional Aid.
Abettor.
Defines who constitutes an abettor in the eyes of the law.
Abetment in India of offences outside India.
Applies Indian law to those abetting foreign crimes from within India.
Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment.
General rule for abetment punishment: same as the main offence if no specific penalty is defined.
Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of abettor.
Liability of the abettor is fixed by their own intent, regardless of the actual intent of the person doing the act.
Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done.
Holds the abettor responsible for different acts if they were the "probable consequence" of the abetment.
Liability of abettor for cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done.
The abettor is liable for both the abetted act and any additional distinct crime committed as a result.
Liability of abettor for an effect caused by the act abetted different from that intended by the abettor.
The abettor is held responsible for the actual effect produced if they knew such an outcome was likely.
Abettor present when offence is committed.
A person who abetted an offence and is also present during its commission is treated as a principal offender.
Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.
Punishment for abetting capital offences when the offence itself is not completed.
Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment.
Punishment for abetting imprisonment-based offences when they remain uncommitted.
Abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than ten persons.
Provides a specific penalty for inciting a crowd or class of persons to commit a crime.
Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.
Criminalises the concealment of plans to commit capital crimes.
Public servant concealing design to commit offence which it is his duty to prevent.
Stricter penalties for public servants who hide criminal plots they are sworn to prevent.
Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment.
Penalty for concealing plans for imprisonment-class offences.
Reserved/Contextual Section.
Placeholder section for structural alignment in the new Sanhita.
Criminal conspiracy.
Defines Criminal Conspiracy as an agreement to do an illegal act or a legal act by illegal means.
Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment.
The general provision for punishing attempts to commit crimes when no specific section exists.
Rape.
Defines rape across seven specific scenarios involving lack of valid consent or legal age.
Punishment for rape.
Prescribes minimum 10-year sentences for rape, increasing to natural life for aggravated cases.
Punishment for rape in certain cases.
Provides severe punishments, including the death penalty, for those committing rape on minors below 16 and 12 years.
Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim.
Prescribes life imprisonment or death for rapes resulting in death or a persistent vegetative state (PVS).
Sexual intercourse by husband upon his wife during separation.
Criminalises non-consensual intercourse by a husband when the couple is living separately.
Sexual intercourse by person in authority.
Punishes high-ranking or custodial figures who abuse their power for sexual favors, even if it doesn't technically meet rape criteria.
Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc.
A landmark new section criminalizing sex obtained via false marriage promises or other deceitful means like fake identity/jobs.
Gang rape.
Details the punishment for gang rape, extending to natural life imprisonment or death if the victim is a minor.
Punishment for repeat offenders.
Mandates either natural life imprisonment or the death penalty for those who repeat sexual offences after a prior conviction.
Punishment for disclosure of identity of victim.
Criminalises revealing the identity of sexual assault victims to protect their privacy and safety.
Punishment for printing or publishing of reports of court proceedings.
Restricts the publication of court details related to sexual offences to protect victim privacy.
Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
Criminalises physical assault or force used with the intent to violate a woman's dignity/modesty.
Sexual harassment.
Defines four specific types of sexual harassment, ranging from physical advances to verbal remarks.
Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe.
Severe punishment for acts intended to strip or expose a woman against her will.
Voyeurism.
Penalises watching or filming women in private settings where they expect privacy.
Stalking.
Covers physical stalking and electronic monitoring (cyber-stalking) of women.
Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
Penalises verbal or gestural insults to a woman's dignity, plus intrusions into her privacy.
Dowry death.
Stipulates death within 7 years of marriage involving dowry harassment as a specialized "Dowry Death" offence.
Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage.
Punishes men who trick women into cohabiting or sex by faking a legal marriage status.
Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife.
Criminalises bigamy (marrying while currently married) with up to 7 years in prison.
Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage.
Penalises going through a marriage ceremony with fraudulent intent when not legally married.
Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman.
Criminalises the enticing or detaining of a married woman with intent for illicit intercourse.
Punishment for cruelty by husband or his relatives.
Provides punishment for cruelty inflicted upon a woman by her husband or his relatives.
Definition of "cruelty" for the purposes of section 85.
Detailed definition of cruelty, covering both physical/mental harm and dowry-related harassment.
Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc.
Penalises kidnapping or abduction for the purpose of forced marriage or illicit intercourse.
Causing miscarriage.
Penalises voluntary causing of miscarriage unless done in good faith to save the mother's life.
Causing miscarriage without woman's consent.
Aggravated penalty for causing miscarriage without the woman's consent.
Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage.
Penalises acts done to cause miscarriage that result in the death of the woman.
Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth.
Criminalises actions intended to prevent a child from being born alive or killing it post-birth.
Causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide.
Penalises acts that would be culpable homicide if they killed a person, but instead kill a quick unborn child.
Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years of age, by parent or person having care of it.
Criminalises the intentional abandonment of a child under 12 by parents or guardians.
Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body.
Penalises the secret disposal of a child's dead body to conceal its birth.
Hiring, employing or engaging a child to commit an offence.
A new BNS provision specifically targeting those who use children to perform or assist in criminal acts.
Procuration of child.
Penalises the procurement of a minor for the purpose of illicit sexual intercourse.
Kidnapping or abducting child under ten years with intent to steal from such child.
Targets kidnapping specifically for the purpose of stealing jewellery or items from a young child.
Selling child for purposes of prostitution, etc.
Prohibits the selling or disposal of a minor for prostitution or immoral purposes.
Buying child for purposes of prostitution, etc.
Prohibits the buying or obtaining of a minor for prostitution or immoral purposes.
Culpable homicide.
Defines Culpable Homicide - causing death through intentional act or knowledge of likelihood of death.
Murder.
Defines Murder, specifying the high degree of intent and imminent danger required to elevate homicide to murder.
Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was intended.
Applies the principle of Transferred Malice - the offence remains homicide even if an unintended person is killed.
Punishment for murder.
Prescribes punishments for murder, including a specific provision for Mob Lynching (sub-section 2).
Punishment for murder by life-convict.
Punishment for murder committed by a person already serving a life sentence.
Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
BNS equivalent of IPC 304, distinguishing between intent and knowledge in homicide.
Causing death by negligence.
Covers deaths by negligence, with specific sub-sections for medical practitioners and Hit and Run cases.
Abetment of suicide of child or person of unsound mind.
Severe punishment for abetting the suicide of vulnerable persons like children or the mentally infirm.
Abetment of suicide.
Criminalises the abetment of suicide for any person.
Attempt to murder.
Punishment for survival-status Murder attempt. Increases to Life if injury is caused.
Attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Punishment for attempt to commit culpable homicide (non-murder intent).
Organized crime.
A major new BNS provision defining and penalising organized criminal syndicates.
Petty organized crime.
Targets smaller criminal gangs operating in public spaces for activities like snatching or ticket resale.
Terrorist act.
Defines a terrorist act comprehensively, covering physical violence, economic sabotage, and disruption of essential services.
Hurt.
Defines "Hurt" as bodily pain, disease, or infirmity.
Voluntarily causing hurt.
Definition and punishment for intentionally causing simple hurt.
Grievous hurt.
Defines "Grievous Hurt" by identifying 8 specific categories of serious bodily injuries.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Punishment for intentionally causing grievous hurt, with enhanced penalties for permanent disability.
Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
Enhanced punishment for causing injuries using dangerous weapons like firearms, explosives, or poison.
Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act.
Punishes causing injuries for extortion or forcing illegal acts.
Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property.
Criminalises the use of physical injury to force confessions or reveal crime-related info.
Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty.
Special protection for public servants discharging their duties.
Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt on provocation.
Mitigates the punishment if the injury was caused due to grave and sudden provocation.
Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.
Penalises the use of poison or drugs to facilitate a crime or cause hurt.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.
Criminalises acid attacks with stringent penalties and mandatory compensation for medical expenses.
Act endangering life or personal safety of others.
Consolidates all rash and negligent acts that endanger others, with graded punishments for injuries.
Wrongful restraint.
Defines and punishes the obstruction of a person's path in a specific direction.
Wrongful confinement.
Defines and punishes the total restriction of a person within specific boundaries.
Force.
Defines "Force" as causing motion, change of motion, or cessation of motion to another person.
Criminal force.
Defines the intentional use of force without consent to commit an offence or cause injury/fear.
Assault.
Defines "Assault" as gestures or preparations that cause a person to fear imminent use of criminal force.
Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation.
General punishment for assault or criminal force when not provoked.
Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.
Enhanced punishment for assaulting a public servant to prevent them from doing their duty.
Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person, otherwise than on grave provocation.
Penalises physical assault specifically intended to humiliate or dishonour a person.
Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person.
Punishes the use of force or assault specifically during an attempt to steal from a person's body or possession.
Assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person.
Criminalises the use of force to prevent someone from moving beyond limits (attempted confinement).
Assault or criminal force on grave provocation.
Mitigated punishment for assault committed under severe provocation.
Kidnapping.
Defines Kidnapping as taking a person out of India or taking a child/unsound person from their guardian.
Abduction.
Defines Abduction as forcing or deceiving any person to move from one place to another.
Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging.
Strict punishment for kidnapping or mutilating a child for forced begging.
Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, for ransom, etc.
Consolidates Kidnapping/Abduction for severe intentions like murder, ransom, or wrongful confinement.
Importation of a girl or boy from a foreign country.
Punishes the importation of minors for sexual exploitation from abroad.
Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person.
Fixes liability on persons who help hide or confine victims of kidnapping or abduction.
Trafficking of a person.
Comprehensive definition and prohibition of human trafficking with focus on exploitation.
Exploitation of a trafficked person.
Penalises the exploitation of individuals known to be trafficked, with stricter penalties for children.
Habitual dealing in slaves.
Strict penalty for professional slave traders or habitual traffickers.
Unlawful compulsory labour.
Prohibits forcing someone to work against their will unlawfully.
Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India.
Severe punishment for open rebellion or waging war against the State.
Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 147.
Criminalises conspiring to wage war or use force to terrorise the government.
Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against the Government of India.
Prohibits the stockpiling of weapons or recruitment of men for the purpose of waging war.
Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war.
Punishes the failure to disclose or the active concealment of plans to wage war.
Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power.
Protects the heads of State from force or intimidation intended to influence their official powers.
Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
A modernised provision replacing the old Sedition law, focusing on secessionist and subversive activities.
Waging war against the Government of any foreign State at peace with the Government of India.
Prohibits any action from Indian soil that wages war against peaceful foreign neighbors.
Committing depredation on territories of foreign State at peace with the Government of India.
Criminalises looting or raiding the territories of peaceful foreign states.
Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 153 and 154.
Punishes the receipt of property looted or taken during war against friendly foreign states.
Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape.
Highly severe penalty for officials who purposefully let state enemies or war prisoners escape.
Public servant negligently suffering such prisoner to escape.
Punishes the negligence of officials that results in the escape of state prisoners.
Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner.
Criminalises help given to state prisoners in escaping, hiding, or resisting recapture.
Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty.
Penalises the incitement of mutiny or the seduction of military personnel from their official duty.
Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof.
Enhanced punishment (including death penalty) if the abetted mutiny actually occurs.
Abetment of assault by soldier, sailor or airman on his superior officer, when in execution of his office.
Punishes the incitement of a lower-ranking officer to assault a superior officer.
Abetment of such assault, if the assault is committed.
Enhanced punishment for assaulting a superior officer if the assault actually takes place.
Abetment of desertion of soldier, sailor or airman.
Criminalises encouraging or assisting military personnel to leave their service without authorization.
Harbouring deserter.
Prohibits providing shelter to military deserters, with an exception for the spouse.
Deserter concealed on board merchant vessel through negligence of master.
Imposes financial liability on ship masters for allowing deserters to hide on their vessels through negligence.
Abetment of act of insubordination by soldier, sailor or airman.
Criminalises inciting military personnel to disobey lawful orders.
Persons subject to certain Acts.
Clarifies that persons governed by specific military laws are not punished under this general code for Chapter VIII offences.
Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman.
Prohibits civilians from impersonating military personnel by wearing leur uniforms or carrying their badges.
Candidate, electoral right defined.
Defines "candidate" and "electoral right" for offences related to elections.
Bribery.
Defines bribery in the context of elections, including giving and accepting gratification.
Undue influence at elections.
Criminalises interfering with the free exercise of voting rights through threats or spiritual fear.
Personation at elections.
Penalises voting under a false identity or voting more than once.
Punishment for bribery.
Prescribes punishment for bribery, distinguishing between direct bribery and "treating".
Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election.
Sets the penalty for undue influence and voter personation.
False statement in connection with an election.
Penalises spreading false information about a candidate's character to influence election results.
Illegal payments in connection with an election.
Regulates election spending by third parties without the candidate's written authority.
Failure to keep election accounts.
Penalises the failure of candidates to maintain records of election expenses.
Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes.
Expands the definition of counterfeiting to include coins, stamps, and currency, including electronic methods.
Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes.
Penalises the use of fake currency or stamps as if they were real, with severe penalties.
Possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes.
Criminalises the possession of counterfeit currency or stamps with intent to use them.
Making or possessing instruments or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes.
Stops counterfeiter at the source by penalising the creation or possession of machinery/mats.
Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes.
Prohibits making or using documents that look like currency, even if not exact counterfeits.
Effacing writing from substance bearing Government stamp, or removing from document a stamp used for it, with intent to cause loss to Government.
Penalises the practice of recycling government stamps by erasing original writing or removing used stamps.
Using Government stamp known to have been before used.
Criminalises the intentional reuse of government stamps to defraud the state.
Erasure of mark denoting that stamp has been used.
Penalises erasing the cancellation mark on a used stamp to make it appear unused.
Prohibition of fictitious stamps.
Bans the creation, sale, or possession of fake (fictitious) stamps.
Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law.
Penalises mint employees for intentionally altering the standard weight or composition of coins.
Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint.
Prohibits the unauthorised removal of coining tools from government mints.
Unlawful assembly.
Defines an "unlawful assembly" as a group of 5+ people with specific illegal common objects.
Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object.
Establishes vicarious liability for all members of an unlawful assembly for crimes committed directed at their common object.
Rioting.
Defines rioting as the use of force or violence by an unlawful assembly.
Punishment for rioting.
Prescribes punishment for rioting, with enhanced penalties for using deadly weapons.
Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly is held.
Imposes liability on landowners for allowing unlawful assemblies or riots on their property without informing authorities.
Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
Penalises hate speech and actions that promote social disharmony or enmity between groups.
Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration.
Criminalises assertions that undermine national unity or question the allegiance of specific communities.
Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organizing or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms.
Criminalises the public display or training with weapons during processions or drills in violation of official orders.
Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly.
Penalises providing logistics or shelter to mercenaries of an unlawful assembly.
Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person.
Punishes public servants for intentional violation of law directed at injuring someone.
Public servant disobeying direction under law.
Specifically targets public servants (law enforcement) who fail to register FIRs or violate investigation protocols.
Punishment for non-treatment of victim.
Penalises hospitals and medical staff for refusing treatment to victims of certain crimes.
Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury.
Punishes deliberate falsification of official records or translations by public servants.
Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade.
Prohibits public servants from engaging in business or trade if banned by their terms of service.
Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property.
Prohibits public servants from purchasing property they are auctioning or legally restricted from buying.
Personating a public servant.
Criminalises impersonating an official to exercise unauthorised power.
Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent.
Penalises impersonating specific classes of public servants (like police) via uniforms or badges.
Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding.
Penalises evading the law by hiding from official summons or notices.
Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof.
Criminalises obstruction of the legal process by preventing the delivery or display of official summons.
Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant.
Criminalises failure to appear before an official or court when legally summoned.
Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Penalises failure to appear when a legal proclamation has been issued against a person.
Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it.
Penalises withholding evidence (documents/digital records) from officials.
Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it.
Penalises the intentional failure to provide mandatory information to authorities.
Furnishing false information.
Penalises providing incorrect information to officials under a legal obligation to be truthful.
Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it.
Criminalises the refusal to take a legal oath before a competent official.
Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.
Penalises refusal to answer questions from officials when legally bound to state the truth.
Refusing to sign statement.
Criminalises refusal to verify a legal statement by signature when officially required.
False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation.
Penalises perjury and false statements under oath outside of court proceedings.
False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person.
Criminalises manipulation of official power through false reports targeting others.
Resistance to the taking of property by the lawful authority of a public servant.
Penalises resisting the legal seizure of property by an official.
Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant.
Criminalises interfering with public auctions or sales authorized by law.
Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant.
Prohibits fraudulent bidding or buying of property during official auctions by legally barred individuals.
Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.
Penalises physical or tactical obstruction of an official doing their legal duty.
Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance.
Criminalises the failure to assist officials when citizens are legally required to do so.
Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.
Penalises violation of official safety/health orders (e.g., prohibitory orders).
Threat of injury to public servant.
Criminalises threatening an official to influence their performance of public duties.
Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant.
Penalises threatening someone to stop them from seeking legal protection or police assistance.
Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power.
A new provision targeting the use of self-harm threats to interfere with public administration.
Giving false evidence.
Defines the offence of perjury or giving false statements under legal obligation.
Fabricating false evidence.
Criminalises the creation of fake records or evidence to mislead judicial proceedings.
Punishment for false evidence.
Prescribes penalties for perjury, distinguishing between court proceedings and other cases.
Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence.
Severely penalises perjury intended to result in a death sentence for an innocent person.
Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment.
Penalises perjury aimed at securing long-term imprisonment for another person.
Threatening any person to give false evidence.
Criminalises witness intimidation and coercing false testimony.
Using evidence known to be false.
Penalises the use of fake evidence, even if the person did not personally create it.
Issuing or signing false certificate.
Criminalises professionals or officials issuing fraudulent legal certificates.
Using as true a certificate known to be false.
Penalises the presentation of forged certificates to authorities.
False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence.
Covers false statements in affidavits, formal declarations, and electronic records presented as evidence.
Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false.
Penalises the use of fake affidavits or statements for official proceedings.
Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender.
Criminalises destroying evidence or misleading the police to protect a criminal.
Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform.
Penalises people who remain silent about crimes they are legally required to report.
Giving false information respecting an offence committed.
Punishes the filing of false FIRs or reports about existing crimes.
Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence.
Criminalises destroying physical or digital files to keep them from being used in court.
False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution.
Penalises pretending to be someone else during court proceedings (e.g., impersonating a witnesses or bail surety).
Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution.
Criminalises hiding assets to evade court-ordered seizures or recovery of dues.
Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution.
Penalises making fake legal claims to property to stop its seizure by authorities.
Dishonestly making false claim in Court.
Targets frivolous or fake lawsuits intended to harass or defraud others.
Fraudulently preventing debt being available for creditors.
Criminalises hiding or diverting debts to avoid paying creditors during legal recovery.
Dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration.
Penalises executing deeds with false price/value details to defraud creditors or avoid taxes.
False charge of offence made with intent to injure.
Severe penalties for malicious prosecution and filing false FIRs to harass others.
Harbouring offender.
Criminalises protecting or hiding an offender after a crime has been committed.
Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment.
Covers bribery or "hush money" given to witnesses or victims to suppress a crime.
Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender.
Punishes the person offering the bribe to suppress evidence or screen a criminal.
Taking gift to help to recover stolen property, etc.
Targets agents who take money to recover stolen goods but fail to help find the criminal.
Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered.
Severe penalties for protecting fugitives, prison escapees, or wanted criminals.
Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.
Specifically targets the logistics and support provided to violent criminal gangs.
Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
Criminalises officials who intentionally violate the law to help someone avoid legal consequences.
Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
Penalises officials who falsify records (e.g., police dairies, revenue records) to help or harm citizens.
Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law.
Targeting judicial corruption: Penalises judges or officials who knowingly pass illegal orders or reports.
Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law.
Criminalises illegal arrests or prolonged illegal detention by officials knowing their actions are unlawful.
Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend.
Penalises police or guards who let suspects go free or intentionally fail to arrest them.
Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend person under sentence or lawfully committed.
Criminalises allowing convicted prisoners or those under lawful custody to escape or remain at large.
Escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant.
Penalises officials for dereliction of duty resulting in the escape of a prisoner through negligence.
Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension.
Criminalises resisting arrest or escaping from prison/police custody.
Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person.
Penalises helping someone else resist arrest or forcibly rescuing a prisoner from custody.
Rash navigation of vessel.
Rash driving or riding on a public way.
Making atmosphere noxious to health.
Fouling water of public spring or reservoir.
Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings etc.
Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation.
Sale of adulterated drugs.
Adulteration of drugs.
Personation of an assessor.
Negligent conduct with respect to animal.
Failure by person released on bail or bond to appear in court.
Public nuisance.
Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.
Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.
Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension or escape or rescue in cases not otherwise provided for.
Disobedience to quarantine rule.
Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale.
Sale of noxious food or drink.
Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue.
Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding.
Disturbing religious assembly.
Trespassing on burial places, etc.
Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.
Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child.
Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.
Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.
Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance.
Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation.
Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.
Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel.
Obscene acts and songs.
Keeping lottery office.
Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc.
Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance.
Violation of condition of remission of punishment.
Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant, in cases not otherwise, provided for.
Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy.
Negligent conduct with respect to machinery.