(Comparative Study) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS) & Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC)
(Comparative Study) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS) & Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC)
(Comparative Study) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS) & Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC)
(IPC)
[Comparative Study]
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
2023 (BNS) & Indian Penal
Code 1860 (IPC)
In IPC, there was no definition clause. All the interpretation clauses were spread over sections
8 to 52A of IPC.
The definition of ‘section’ in section 50 of IPC stands omitted by BNS as it is now a word of
Most of these interpretation clauses in sections 8 to 52A of IPC,1860 have been retained in BNS
without any change and have been compactly grouped in section 2 of BNS in alphabetical
Though most of the interpretation rules in sections 8 to 52A of IPC have been included in
section 2 of BNS without any change, it must be noted that the applicability of these
definitions in BNS in section 2 are subject to the qualificatory phrase “unless the context
except definitions in sections 9, 32 and 46, were not made subject to contextual requirements.
Child
Transgender
The definition of “gender” in section 8 of IPC recognizes only male and female genders. The
Section 2(3) of BNS defines ‘child’ to means any person below the age of 18 years.
Illustration below section 20 of IPC referring to “Regulation VII, 1816, of the Madras Code” has
been omitted from the definition in section 2(5) of BNS, as the illustration had become
redundant long back with the repeal of Regulation VII by the Madras Civil Courts Act, 1873.
Section 2(8) of BNS provides that documents includes ‘electronics and digital record’.
Definition in section 2(10) expressly refers to transgender and defines the term which was not
It states that the term “Judge” includes not only individuals officially designated as Judges but
also those who have the authority to render definitive judgments in any legal proceeding,
It also includes members of a body of persons authorized by law to render such judgments.
The illustrations provided clarify this definition further, including examples of Collectors,
The new law’s definition of “Judge” is more concise and follows a similar pattern.
The new law aligns with the old law’s definition but presents the information in a more
streamlined manner.
Section 49 of IPC required year or month to be reckoned as per British calendar while section
2(20) of BNS requires year or month to be reckoned as per the Gregorian calendar.
Section 2(21) of BNS omits the word “are intended to include corporeal” before the word
“property” which was there in the definition of movable property in section 22 of IPC.
Therefore, movable property includes property of every description other than immovable
Definition of movable property under BNS will include intangible assets like patents,
Local authority
“Local authority” is defined by referring to clause (31) of section 3 of the General Clauses Act,
Section 53 of IPC provided for 5 types of punishments viz. (1) Death; (2) Imprisonment for life;
(3) Imprisonment which is of two descriptions–rigorous and simple; (4) Forfeiture of property
and (5) Fine. Section 4(f) of BNS has introduced a new 6th type of punishment – Community
service.
To reduce the burden on jails, community service has been included in BNS as a punishment
for the first time and it is being given legal status. [PIB Press Release, dated 20-12-2023]
BNS prescribes Community Service as punishment for petty offences like non-appearance in
power of public servant, petty theft on return of theft money, misconduct in public by a
The term “community service” is not defined in BNS. However, it is defined by Explanation to
section 23 of BNSS to mean the work which the Court may order a convict to perform as a form
of punishment that benefits the community, for which he shall not be entitled to any
remuneration.
Life imprisonment
:
The punishment of imprisonment for life has been clearly defined as imprisonment for
The comparison between section 433 of Cr.PC and section 474 of BNSS is tabulated below:
A sentence
for
Sentence may be commuted
imprisonment —
:
for seven for imprisonment for a term
years or not less than 3 years
more
Sentence of
Sentence may be commuted for
simple —
fine
imprisonment
Sentence for
imprisonment Sentence may be commuted
—
for less than for fine
seven years
The words “unless otherwise provided” which were not there in section 57 have been added in
community service in IPC, there was also no imprisonment in default of community service in
IPC.
Consequent upon introduction of new punishment of community service [See section 4 of BNS]
by the BNS, sub-sections (4) and (5) of section 8 of BNS provide for imposing imprisonment in
Under old law for default in payment of fine following punishment followed:
Under BNS for default in payment of fine or default of community service following
punishment follows:
1. 1. Fine not exceeding ` 5000 or community service – Imprisonment not exceeding 2 months
months
Old law provided for ‘House breaking by night’. Section 41 of BNS provides for ‘house breaking
Section 103 of Cr.PC provided for ‘mischief by fire’. Section 41 of BNS provides for ‘mischief by
Section 48 of BNS provides that a person abets an offence within the meaning of this Sanhita
who, without and beyond India, abets the commission of any act in India which would
Abetment by a person outside India has been made an offence under section 48 to allow
Section 117 of IPC provided for imprisonment upto 3 years or fine or both. Section 57 of BNS
provides for imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 7 years and
fine.
Exception 2 to section 63 of BNS provides that sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with
his own wife, the wife not being under 18 years of age, is not rape. Under section 375 of IPC the
Clause (i) of section 64(2) of BNS provides for ‘commits rape, on a woman incapable of giving
:
consent’. Section 376(2)(i) of IPC provided for ‘commits rape on woman when she is under 16
years of age’.
Section 65 of BNS combines both age categories (under 12 and under 16) into a single section,
Section 69 of BNS provides that whoever, by deceitful means or making by promise to marry a
woman without any intention of fulfilling the same, and has sexual intercourse with her, such
sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment
of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.
“Deceitful means” shall include the false promise of employment or promotion, inducement or
Death sentence was provided under section 376DB of IPC for gang rape of woman under 12
years of age. No death penalty was provided for gang rape of woman aged below 16 but above
12 in section 376DA. Now, section 70(2) of BNS provides death penalty for gangrape of woman
354B/354C of IPC
354B/354C of IPC
Words ‘from that man, or from any person having the care of her on behalf of that man’ are
Thus, unlike section 498 of IPC, offence under section 84 of BNS is committed whether or not a
married woman is taken or enticed away from her husband or from any person having care of
Section 84 protects a married woman whether or not she is living in the care of her husband or
any other person who is taking care of her on behalf of her husband.
Section 95 of BNS provides that whoever hires, employs or engages any person below the age of
eighteen years to commit an offence shall be punished for with imprisonment of either
description or fine provided for that offence as if the offence has been committed by such
person himself.
Hiring, employing, engaging or using a child for sexual exploitation or pornography is covered
Section 366A of IPC provided for offence of procuration of minor girl (under the age of eighteen
years). Section 96 of BNS deals with offence of procuration of any child below the age of
The protection accorded by section 96 of BNS to children is wider than that accorded by section
366A of IPC since protection under section 96 is available to all children irrespective of gender
Prescribed imprisonment
Imprisonment prescribed is ‘not less than 7 years but which may extend to 14 years’. Earlier
Section 103(2) of BNS provides that when a group of five or more persons acting in concert
commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language,
personal belief or any other ground each member of such group shall be punished with death or
Unlike IPC, it is not mandatory to award death sentence for murder by a life-convict. BNS given
an option to the Judge to sentence the life-convict murderer to death or with imprisonment for
life, which shall mean the remainder of that person’s natural life.
Section 105 of BNS prescribes imprisonment of ‘not less than 5 years which may extend to 10
years’ with fine. It was upto 10 years with fine or both under section 304 of IPC
Lesser punishment if accused reports the case to Police and takes the victim to
As per the Home Minister’s statement in Lok Sabha on 20.12.2023-See PIB’s Press Release,
dated 20.12.2023 in case of culpable homicide, there is a provision for lesser punishment if the
accused goes to police to report the case and takes the victim to the hospital for medical
Section 106(1) of BNS provides that whoever causes death of any person by doing any rash or
negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of
The new law increases the punishment for causing death by negligence from a maximum of two
years to a maximum of five years. This change reflects a stricter approach to cases of negligence
resulting in death.
Section 106(2) introduces an additional provision in sub-section (2) to section 106 of BNS,
:
which addresses situations where the offender escapes from the scene of the incident without
reporting it to a police officer or Magistrate after the incident. In such cases, the punishment is
very severe, with a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years with fine. [Section 106(2)]
As the instances of hit and run cases are on the rise, a new provision under section 106(2) of
BNS has been made. Currently hit and run cases resulting in death due to reckless and
negligent driving are registered u/s 304A of IPC, with maximum penalty of two years of
imprisonment. As per Delhi Road Crash Report of 2021, there were 555 cases (46.01% of total
cases) where the registration number of vehicles involved in crime were unknown, signifying
hit and run cases. The Supreme Court had in several cases observed on the inadequacy of law in
view of increased vehicular accident. To address this issue, the new provision has been
Section 106(2) has been introduced to cover the hit and run accidents and to ensure reporting
of accident immediately. This has been introduced with an aim to save the victim within the
critical ‘Golden Hour’ a term introduced in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in the year 2019.
Punishment under section 106(2) is not attracted merely by virtue of driver escaping from the
scene after the incident to escape the wrath of bystanders who might mob-lynch him. Offence is
committed only if escape from scene is coupled with non-reporting by him to Police or
either description for a term which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.
For the purposes of this sub-section, “registered medical practitioner” means a medical
practitioner who possesses any medical qualification recognised under the National Medical
Commission Act, 2019 (30 of 2019) and whose name has been entered in the National Medical
Under IPC, section 307 prescribed only death penalty for attempt to murder by a life-convict.
For attempt to murder by life-convict, section 109 of BNS provides for death or with
imprisonment for life, which shall mean the remainder of that person’s natural life
1. Any continuing unlawful activity including kidnapping, robbery, vehicle theft, extortion,
drugs, weapons or illicit goods or services, human trafficking for prostitution or ransom,
by any person or a group of persons acting in concert, singly or jointly, either as a member
indirect material benefit including a financial benefit, shall constitute an organised crime.
(i) “organised crime syndicate” means a group of two or more persons who, acting either singly or
(ii) “continuing unlawful activity” means an activity prohibited by law which is a cognizable offence
punishable with imprisonment of three years or more, undertaken by any person, either singly or
which more than one charge-sheets have been filed before a competent Court within the preceding
period of ten years and that Court has taken cognizance of such offence, and includes economic
offence;
(iii) “economic offence” includes criminal breach of trust, forgery, counterfeiting of currency-notes,
:
bank-notes and Government stamps, hawala transaction, mass-marketing fraud or running any
scheme to defraud several persons or doing any act in any manner with a view to defraud any bank
or financial institution or any other institution or organisation for obtaining monetary benefits in
any form.
1. 1. 1. if such offence has resulted in the death of any person, be punished with death or
imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than ten
lakh rupees;
2. in any other case, be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less
than five years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable
organised crime, or otherwise engages in any act preparatory to an organised crime, shall
be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years but
which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not
Any person who is a member of an organised crime syndicate shall be punished with
imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to
imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than five lakh
rupees.
Whoever, intentionally, harbours or conceals any person who has committed the offence
of an organised crime shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be
less than three years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be
liable to fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees. This provision shall not apply to
any case in which the harbour or concealment is by the spouse of the offender.
Whoever possesses any property derived or obtained from the commission of an organised
crime or proceeds of any organised crime or which has been acquired through the
organised crime, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less
than three years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to
account for, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
three years but which may extend to imprisonment for ten years and shall also be liable to
1. 1. Whoever, being a member of a group or gang, either singly or jointly, commits any act of
gambling, selling of public examination question papers or any other similar criminal act,
is said to commit petty organised crime. For the purposes of this sub-section “theft”
includes trick theft, theft from vehicle, dwelling house or business premises, cargo theft,
pick pocketing, theft through card skimming, shoplifting and theft of Automated Teller
Machine.
2. Whoever commits any petty organised crime shall be punished with imprisonment for a
term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to seven years, and shall
1. Whoever does any act with the intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity,
sovereignty, security, or economic security of India or with the intent to strike terror or
likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign
country,––
(a) by using bombs, dynamite or other explosive substance or inflammable substance or firearms or
other lethal weapons or poisonous or noxious gases or other chemicals or by any other substance
(whether biological, radioactive, nuclear or otherwise) of a hazardous nature or by any other means
(iii) disruption of any supplies or services essential to the life of the community in India or in any
foreign country; or
(iv) damage to, the monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of
(v) damage or destruction of any property in India or in a foreign country used or intended to be
used for the defence of India or in connection with any other purposes of the Government of India,
(b) overawes by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force or attempts to do so or causes
death of any public functionary or attempts to cause death of any public functionary; or
(c) detains, kidnaps or abducts any person and threatening to kill or injure such person or does any
other act in order to compel the Government of India, any State Government or the Government of a
(a) “public functionary” means the constitutional authorities or any other functionary notified in
(b) “counterfeit Indian currency” means the counterfeit currency as may be declared after
1. 1. if such offence has resulted in the death of any person, be punished with death or
2. in any other case, be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
:
five years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
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