Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

The three bills that received approval from Parliament have now attained the status of law, marking the inception of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

This legislative overhaul supersedes the longstanding Indian Penal Code (1860), the Code of Criminal Procedure (1898), and the Indian Evidence Act (1872) respectively. A comprehensive restructuring of sections has been undertaken through amendments to these laws.

The amendments bring about notable changes, incorporating 20 new offenses and extending the punishment duration for 33 existing offenses. Furthermore, penalties for 83 offenses have been augmented.

During the parliamentary deliberations on these bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized a pivotal shift in focus—from an emphasis on punishment to a more nuanced approach centered on the administration of justice. These legislative changes reflect a substantial reformation in India's legal framework, aiming to align with contemporary legal standards and address emerging challenges.

Timeline

This timeline only includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) of 2023.

• On August 11, 2023, Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 in the Lok Sabha.
• Subsequently, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 was withdrawn on December 12, 2023.
• Following this withdrawal, on the same day, a new bill, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Second), 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
• On December 20, 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Second), 2023 was successfully passed in the Lok Sabha. After this, this bill was approved in the Rajya Sabha on December 21, 2023.
• The legislative process concluded on December 25, 2023, as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Second), 2023 received the assent of the President of India.

What is the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and brings several changes to the existing laws. The BNS is divided into 20 chapters, each of which deals with a different type of crime, consisting of 358 sections.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) originally contained 511 sections. However, with the introduction of the Indian Judicial Code in 2023, the number of sections has been reduced to 358.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 - Structure

• Chapter  1  - Clauses 1 to 3  -  Preliminary
• Chapter  2  - Clauses 4 to 13  -  Punishments
• Chapter  3  - Clauses 14 to 44  -  General Exceptions & Right to Private Defence
• Chapter  4  - Clauses 45 to 62  - Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt
• Chapter  5  - Clauses 63 to 97  -  Of Offences against Women and Child
• Chapter  6  - Clauses 98 to 144 -  Of Offences Affecting the Human Body
• Chapter  7  - Clauses 145 to 156  -  Of Offences Against the State
• Chapter  8  - Clauses 157 to 166  -  Of Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force
• Chapter  9  -  Clauses 167 to 175  - Of Offences Relating to Elections
• Chapter  10 - Clauses 176 to 186  - Of Offences Relating to Coins, Bank Notes, Currency Notes and Government Stamps
• Chapter  11 - Clauses 187 to 195  -  Of Offences Against the Public Tranquility
• Chapter  12  - Clauses 196 to 203  -  Of Offences by Or Relating to Public Servants
• Chapter 13  -   Clauses 204 to 224  -  Of Contempt of Lawful Authority of Public Servants
• Chapter 14  - Clauses 225 to 267  - Of False Evidence and Offences against Public Justice.
• Chapter 15  - Clauses 268 to 295  - Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convince, Decency, and Morals
• Chapter 16  -  Clauses 296 to 300 -  Of Offences Relating to Religion
• Chapter 17  - Clauses 301 to 332  - Of Offences against Property
• Chapter 18  -  Clauses 333 to 348 - Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks 
• Chapter 19  -  Clauses 349 to 357 - Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, Etc
• Chapter 20  -  Clauses 358  -  Repeal and savings

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

THE BHARATIYA NYAYA (SECOND) SANHITA, 2023

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ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES

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CHAPTER I: PRELIMINARY

• 1. Short title, commencement and application.
• 2. Definitions.
• 3. General explanations.

CHAPTER II: OF PUNISHMENTS

4. Punishments.

5. Commutation of sentence.

6. Fractions of terms of punishment.

7. Sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous or

simple.

8. Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc.

9. Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences.

10. Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, judgment stating that it is

doubtful of which.

11. Solitary confinement.

12. Limit of solitary confinement.

13. Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction.

CHAPTER III

GENERAL EXCEPTIONS

14. Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.

15. Act of Judge when acting judicially.

16. Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court.

17. Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by

law.

18. Accident in doing a lawful act.

19. Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other

harm.

20. Act of a child under seven years of age.

21. Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding.

22. Act of a person of unsound mind.

23. Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his

will.

24. Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is

intoxicated.

25. Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done

by consent.

26. Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person’s

benefit.

27. Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person of unsound mind, by, or by

consent of guardian.

28. Consent known to be given under fear or misconception.

29. Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused.

30. Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent.

31. Communication made in good faith.

32. Act to which a person is compelled by threats.

33. Act causing slight harm.

Of right of private defence

34. Things done in private defence.

35. Right of private defence of body and of property.

36. Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc.

37. Acts against which there is no right of private defence.

38. When right of private defence of body extends to causing death.

39. When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.

40. Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of body.

41. When right of private defence of property extends to causing death.

42. When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.

43. Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of property.

44. Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent

person.

CHAPTER IV

OF ABETMENT, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ATTEMPT

Of abetment

45. Abetment of a thing.

46. Abettor.

47. Abetment in India of offences outside India.

48. Abetment outside India for offence in India.

49. Punishment of abetment if act abetted is committed in consequence and where no

express provision is made for its punishment.

50. Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from

that of abettor.

51. Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done.

52. Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done.

53. Liability of abettor for an effect caused by act abetted different from that intended

by abettor.

54. Abettor present when offence is committed.

55. Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.

56. Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment.

57. Abetting commission of offence by public or by more than ten persons.

58. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for

life.

59. Public servant concealing design to commit offence which it is his duty to prevent.

60. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment.

Of criminal conspiracy

61. Criminal conspiracy.

Of attempt

62. Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for

life or other imprisonment.

CHAPTER V

OF OFFENCES AGAINST WOMAN AND CHILD

Of sexual offences

63. Rape.

64. Punishment for rape.

65. Punishment for rape in certain cases.

66. Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim.

67. Sexual intercourse by husband upon his wife during separation.

68. Sexual intercourse by a person in authority.

69. Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc.

70. Gang rape.

71. Punishment for repeat offenders.

72. Disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences, etc.

73. Printing or publishing of any matter relating to Court proceedings without

permission.

Of criminal force and assault against woman

74. Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

75. Sexual harassment.

76. Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe.

77. Voyeurism.

78. Stalking.

79. Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman.

Of offences relating to marriage

80. Dowry death.

81. Cohabitation caused by man deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage.

82. Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife.

83. Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage.

84. Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman.

85. Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty.

86. Cruelty defined.

87. Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc.

Of causing miscarriage, etc.

88. Causing miscarriage.

89. Causing miscarriage without woman’s consent.

90. Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage.

91. Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause to die after birth.

92. Causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide.

Of offences against child

93. Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years of age, by parent or person

having care of it.

94. Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body.

95. Hiring, employing or engaging a child to commit an offence.

96. Procuration of child.

97. Kidnapping or abducting child under ten years of age with intent to steal from its

person.

98. Selling child for purposes of prostitution, etc.

99. Buying child for purposes of prostitution, etc.

CHAPTER VI

OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY

Of offences affecting life

100. Culpable homicide.

101. Murder.

102. Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was

intended.

103. Punishment for murder.

104. Punishment for murder by life-convict.

105. Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

106. Causing death by negligence.

107. Abetment of suicide of child or person of unsound mind.

108. Abetment of suicide.

109. Attempt to murder.

110. Attempt to commit culpable homicide.

111. Organised crime.

112. Petty organised crime.

113. Terrorist act.

Of hurt

114. Hurt.

115. Voluntarily causing hurt.

116. Grievous hurt.

117. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

118. Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

119. Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an

illegal act.

120. Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel

restoration of property.

121. Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty.

122. Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt on provocation.

123. Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.

124. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.

125. Act endangering life or personal safety of others.

Of wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement

126. Wrongful restraint.

127. Wrongful confinement.

Of criminal force and assault

128. Force.

129. Criminal force.

130. Assault.

131. Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation.

132. Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.

133. Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on

grave provocation.

134. Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person.

135. Assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person.

136. Assault or criminal force on grave provocation.

Of kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour

137. Kidnapping.

138. Abduction.

139. Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging.

140. Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder or for ransom, etc.

141. Importation of girl or boy from foreign country.

142. Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person.

143. Trafficking of person.

144. Exploitation of a trafficked person.

145. Habitual dealing in slaves.

146. Unlawful compulsory labour.

CHAPTER VII

OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE STATE

147. Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against Government

of India.

148. Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 147.

149. Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against Government of India.

150. Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war.

151. Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain exercise of

any lawful power.

152. Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

153. Waging war against Government of any foreign State at peace with Government

of India.

154. Committing depredation on territories of foreign State at peace with Government

of India.

155. Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 153

and 154.

156. Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape.

157. Public servant negligently suffering such prisoner to escape.

158. Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner.

CHAPTER VIII

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE

159. Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty.

160. Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof.

161. Abetment of assault by soldier, sailor or airman on his superior officer, when in

execution of his office.

162. Abetment of such assault, if assault committed.

163. Abetment of desertion of soldier, sailor or airman.

164. Harbouring deserter.

165. Deserter concealed on board merchant vessel through negligence of master.

166. Abetment of act of insubordination by soldier, sailor or airman.

167. Persons subject to certain Acts.

168. Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman.

CHAPTER IX

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO ELECTIONS

169. Candidate, electoral right defined.

170. Bribery.

171. Undue influence at elections.

CLAUSES

(vii)

172. Personation at elections.

173. Punishment for bribery.

174. Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election.

175. False statement in connection with an election.

176. Illegal payments in connection with an election.

177. Failure to keep election accounts.

CHAPTER X

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO COIN, CURRENCY-NOTES, BANK-NOTES, AND

GOVERNMENT STAMPS

178. Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes.

179. Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes

or bank-notes.

180. Possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or

bank-notes.

181. Making or possessing instruments or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin,

Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes.

182. Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes.

183. Effacing writing from substance bearing Government stamp, or removing from

document a stamp used for it, with intent to cause loss to Government.

184. Using Government stamp known to have been before used.

185. Erasure of mark denoting that stamp has been used.

186. Prohibition of fictitious stamps.

187. Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition

from that fixed by law.

188. Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint.

CHAPTER XI

OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE PUBLIC TRANQUILLITY

189. Unlawful assembly.

190. Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of

common object.

191. Rioting.

192. Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot-if rioting be committed; if

not committed.

193. Liability of owner, occupier, etc., of land on which an unlawful assembly or riot

takes place.

194. Affray.

195. Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc.

196. Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of

birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of

harmony.

197. Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.

CHAPTER XII

OF OFFENCES BY OR RELATING TO PUBLIC SERVANTS

198. Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person.

199. Public servant disobeying direction under law.

200. Punishment for non-treatment of victim.

201. Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury.

202. Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade.

203. Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property.

204. Personating a public servant.

205. Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent.

CHAPTER XIII

OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

206. Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding.

207. Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication

thereof.

208. Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant.

209. Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya

Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

210. Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person

legally bound to produce it.

211. Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound

to give it.

212. Furnishing false information.

213. Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it.

214. Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.

215. Refusing to sign statement.

216. False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to

administer an oath or affirmation.

217. False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to

injury of another person.

218. Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of a public servant.

219. Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant.

220. Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant.

221. Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.

222. Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance.

223. Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.

224. Threat of injury to public servant.

225. Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public

servant.

226. Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power.

CHAPTER XIV

OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

227. Giving false evidence.

228. Fabricating false evidence.

229. Punishment for false evidence.

230. Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital

offence.

231. Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence

punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment.

232. Threatening any person to give false evidence.

233. Using evidence known to be false.

234. Issuing or signing false certificate.

235. Using as true a certificate known to be false.

236. False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence.

237. Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false.

238. Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to

screen offender.

239. Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform.

240. Giving false information respecting an offence committed.

241. Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence.

242. False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution.

243. Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited

or in execution.

244. Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution.

245. Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due.

246. Dishonestly making false claim in Court.

247. Fraudulently obtaining decree for sum not due.

248. False charge of offence made with intent to injure.

249. Harbouring offender.

250. Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment.

251. Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender.

252. Taking gift to help to recover stolen property, etc.

253. Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has

been ordered.

254. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.

255. Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from

punishment or property from forfeiture.

256. Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from

punishment or property from forfeiture.

257. Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law.

258. Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that

he is acting contrary to law.

259. Intentional omission to apprehend on part of public servant bound to

apprehend.

260. Intentional omission to apprehend on part of public servant bound to apprehend

person under sentence or lawfully committed.

261. Escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant.

262. Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension.

263. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person.

264. Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant, in

cases not otherwise provided for.

265. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension or escape or rescue in cases not

otherwise provided for.

266. Violation of condition of remission of punishment.

267. Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding.

268. Personation of assessor.

269. Failure by person released on bail bond or bond to appear in Court.

CHAPTER XV

OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, CONVENIENCE,

DECENCY AND MORALS

270. Public nuisance.

271. Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.

272. Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.

273. Disobedience to quarantine rule.

274. Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale.

275. Sale of noxious food or drink.

276. Adulteration of drugs.

277. Sale of adulterated drugs.

278. Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation.

279. Fouling water of public spring or reservoir.

280. Making atmosphere noxious to health.

281. Rash driving or riding on a public way.

282. Rash navigation of vessel.

283. Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy.

284. Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel.

285. Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation.

286. Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance.

287. Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.

288. Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance.

289. Negligent conduct with respect to machinery.

290. Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings,

etc.

291. Negligent conduct with respect to animal.

292. Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.

293. Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue.

294. Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc.

295. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child.

296. Obscene acts and songs.

297. Keeping lottery office.

CHAPTER XVI

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION

298. Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class.

299. Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class

by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

300. Disturbing religious assembly.

301. Trespassing on burial places, etc.

302. Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any

person.

CHAPTER XVII

OF OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY

Of theft

303. Theft.

304. Snatching.

305. Theft in a dwelling house, or means of transportation or place of worship, etc.

306. Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master.

307. Theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to

committing of theft.

Of extortion

308. Extortion.

Of robbery and dacoity

309. Robbery.

310. Dacoity.

311. Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt.

312. Attempt to commit robbery or dacoity when armed with deadly weapon.

313. Punishment for belonging to gang of robbers, etc.

Of criminal misappropriation of property

314. Dishonest misappropriation of property.

315. Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person at the

time of his death.

Of criminal breach of trust

316. Criminal breach of trust.

Of receiving stolen property

317. Stolen property.

Of cheating

318. Cheating.

319. Cheating by personation.

Of fraudulent deeds and dispositions of property

320. Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution

among creditors.

321. Dishonestly or fraudulently preventing debt being available for creditors.

322. Dishonest or fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement

of consideration.

323. Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property.

Of mischief

324. Mischief.

325. Mischief by killing or maiming animal.

326. Mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc.

327. Mischief with intent to destroy or make unsafe a rail, aircraft, decked vessel or one

of twenty tons burden.

328. Punishment for intentionally running vessel aground or ashore with intent to

commit theft, etc.

Of criminal trespass

329. Criminal trespass and house-trespass.

330. House-trespass and house-breaking.

331. Punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking.

332. House-trespass in order to commit offence.

333. House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint.

334. Dishonestly breaking open receptacle containing property.

CHAPTER XVIII

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO DOCUMENTS AND TO PROPERTY MARKS

335. Making a false document.

336. Forgery.

337. Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.

338. Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.

339. Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing

it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine.

340. Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine.

341. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery

punishable under section 338.

342. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in

section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material.

343. Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable

security.

344. Falsification of accounts.

Of property marks

345. Property mark.

346. Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury.

347. Counterfeiting a property mark.

348. Making or possession of any instrument for counterfeiting a property mark.

349. Selling goods marked with a counterfeit property mark.

350. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods.

CHAPTER XIX

OF CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION, INSULT, ANNOYANCE, DEFAMATION, ETC.

351. Criminal intimidation.

352. Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace.

353. Statements conducing to public mischief.

354. Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of

Divine displeasure.

355. Misconduct in public by a drunken person.

Of defamation

356. Defamation.

Of breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person

357. Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person.

CHAPTER XX

REPEAL AND SAVINGS

358. Repeal and savings.

Important changes in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

Section 124: Earlier, Section 124 of the IPC addressed the punishment for treason. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has introduced an amendment in which the word 'treason' in Chapter 7 has been replaced by 'offence against the State', doing away with archaic British-era terminology.

Section 144: Initially, Section 144 of the IPC dealt with joining an unlawful assembly armed with a deadly weapon. This provision is now classified under crimes against public peace in Chapter 11 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The relevant section is now Section 187, which addresses unlawful assembly.

Section 302: Earlier, any person involved in murder was charged under Section 302. Under the new laws, such offenders will face charges under Section 101, which is classified in Chapter 6 as crimes affecting the human body.

Section 307: Before the implementation of the new law, attempt to murder came under Section 307 of the IPC. The amended law now provides for punishment for such offenses under Section 109 of the BNS, 2023 laid down in Chapter 6.

Section 376: Punishment for crimes related to rape was earlier mentioned in Section 376 of the IPC. The Indian Judicial Code now places these crimes under Chapter 5 Crimes against Women and Children, the punishment of which is defined in Section 63.

Additionally, Section 376D of the IPC, which addresses gang rape, has now been included in Section 70 of the new law.

Section 399: Earlier, Section 399 of the IPC was applicable to defamation cases. BNS has moved this provision to Chapter 19, which specifically addresses criminal intimidation, insult, defamation, etc., with defamation falling under Section 356.

Section 420: In BNS, the offense of cheating or cheating now comes under Section 316 in place of Section 420. This provision is now classified under Offenses against Theft of Property in Chapter 17 of the BNS.

Major changes

• The definition of 'gender' now also includes 'transgender'.
• The definition of 'document' now includes electronic and digital records.
• The definition of 'movable property' has been expanded to include every type of property.
• A new chapter addressing crimes against women and children has been introduced.
• The crime of attempting suicide has been removed.

New crimes, such as organized crime, terrorist acts, petty organized crimes, hit and run, mob lynching, hiring of a child to commit crime, sexual exploitation of women by deception, snatching, incitement outside India, threats to sovereignty, integrity The acts of subverting, and unity of India, and publication of false or fake news have been added.

Colonial relics like 'British Calendar,' 'Queen,' 'British India,' and 'Justice of the Peace' have been abolished.