Alternate punishment
Full Text
Where an act or omission constitutes an offence punishable under this Act and also under sections 166A, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 370, 370A, 375, 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB, 376E, section 509 of the Indian Penal Code or section 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), then, notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, the offender found guilty of such offence shall be liable to punishment only under this Act or under the Indian Penal Code as provides for punishment which is greater in degree.
Plain English Summary
Provides that when an offence is punishable under both POCSO and IPC (e.g., Sections 376, 376AB, 354) or Section 67B IT Act, the court must sentence the offender under whichever statute prescribes the greater punishment.
Key Legal Elements
- Overlapping offence punishable under both POCSO Act and specified IPC sections or Section 67B IT Act
- Overriding non-obstante clause (notwithstanding anything contained in any law)
- Bar on double punishment for identical offence
- Mandatory imposition of the punishment that is greater in degree
Punishment
Liable to greater of the punishments between POCSO and IPC/IT Act 67B
Practical Note
Harmonizes overlaps between POCSO and IPC / BNS criminal amendments. Double jeopardy (Article 20(2) Constitution) bars multiple punishments for the identical act; Section 42 resolves this by mandating imposition of the higher sentence.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां कोई कार्य या लोप इस अधिनियम के अधीन तथा भारतीय दंड संहिता की धारा 166क, 354क, 354ख, 354ग, 354घ, 370, 370क, 375, 376, 376क, 376कख, 376ख, 376ग, 376घ, 376घक, 376घख, 376ङ, धारा 509 अथवा सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी अधिनियम, 2000 (2000 का 21) की धारा 67ख के अधीन भी दंडनीय कोई अपराध गठित करता है, तो तत्समय प्रवृत्त किसी विधि में किसी बात के होते हुए भी, ऐसे अपराध का दोषी पाया गया अपराधी केवल इस अधिनियम अथवा भारतीय दंड संहिता के अधीन उस दंड से दंडनीय होगा जो परिमाण (मात्रा) में अधिक हो।