New Criminal Laws Concordance (BNS • BNSS • BSA)

Relocated from Section 34 IPC to Section 3(5) under Chapter I (Preliminary - General Principles). Core legal doctrine of constructive liability remains identical.

Re-numbered under Chapter IV (Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt). Instigation, conspiracy, and intentional aid definitions retained.

Retains penalty tiers if offence is not committed in consequence of abetment.

Consolidated into Section 61 BNS. Sub-section (1) defines conspiracy; sub-section (2) prescribes punishment corresponding to 120B IPC.

General attempt clause relocated from final section of IPC (511) to Chapter IV Section 62 BNS.

Relocated to Chapter V (Offences Against Women and Children). Section 64(1) punishes rape with minimum 10 years up to life. Section 64(2) covers aggravated circumstances.

Punishment is rigorous imprisonment not less than 20 years, up to natural life imprisonment, or death.

Preserves minimum 20 years up to natural life imprisonment, or death penalty.

Punishable with imprisonment from 2 to 7 years with fine.

Imprisonment from 5 to 10 years and fine.

Brand new standalone codified statutory offence. Penalizes sexual intercourse induced by deceitful means (promise of employment, promotion, false marriage promise, or concealing identity) with up to 10 years imprisonment and fine.

Rigorous imprisonment not less than 20 years up to natural life with fine.

Unified under Section 70(2) for all minor females under 18 years. Imprisonment for remainder of natural life or death.

Re-numbered to Section 74. Retains 1 to 5 years imprisonment with fine.

Physical contact (up to 3 years), demand for sexual favours (up to 3 years), showing pornography (up to 3 years), sexually coloured remarks (up to 1 year).

Mandatory minimum 3 years up to 7 years imprisonment with fine.

First conviction 1 to 3 years; subsequent conviction 3 to 7 years with fine.

First conviction up to 3 years; subsequent conviction up to 5 years. Covers physical and electronic/cyber stalking.

Re-numbered to Section 79 under Chapter V. Punishable up to 3 years and fine.

Preserves strict 7-year minimum up to life imprisonment. Operates jointly with Section 118 BSA (old 113B Evidence Act).

Punishment up to 7 years and fine. Exceptions for 7 years continuous absence retained.

Split into two dedicated sections: Section 85 defines the punishment (up to 3 years & fine); Section 86 specifically codifies the statutory definition of cruelty (physical, mental, and dowry coercion).

Section 88 punishes voluntary miscarriage; Section 89 punishes miscarriage without consent with life imprisonment or up to 10 years.

Core statutory definitions, mental intent standards, and 5 classical exceptions (Grave & Sudden Provocation, Private Defence, Public Servant, Sudden Fight, Consent) preserved.

Section 103(1) covers standard murder (death or life imprisonment and fine). Section 103(2) introduces dedicated capital offence for Mob Lynching / hate murder by 5 or more persons acting in concert on grounds of race, caste, sex, place of birth, or language.

Replaces IPC 304 Part I (intent - life or up to 10 yrs) and Part II (knowledge - up to 10 yrs).

Section 106(1) increases penalty up to 5 years (up from 2 years in IPC 304A). Section 106(2) creates severe 10-year penalty with fine for driver who escapes without reporting to police/magistrate (Hit and Run). Registered medical practitioners have lower 2-year cap.

Retains punishment up to 10 years and fine. Works with Section 117 BSA (old 113A Evidence Act).

Punishment up to 10 years and fine; if hurt is caused, extends up to imprisonment for life.

Imprisonment up to 3 years or fine; if hurt caused, extends up to 7 years.

Major new substantive offence incorporating provisions from state acts like MCOCA directly into general penal law. Covers contract killing, extortion, land grabbing, cybercrimes, and trafficking.

Section 114 defines hurt (bodily pain, disease or infirmity). Section 115(2) punishes simple hurt with imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine up to 10,000 rupees, or with community service.

8 designated clauses of grievous hurt (emasculation, permanent sight loss, hearing loss, privation of member/joint, fracture of bone/tooth, 20 days severe pain) codified under 116. Punishable up to 7 years with fine under 117(2).

Re-numbered to Section 118(1). Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment up to 10 years, and fine.

Section 124(1) prescribes minimum 10 years up to natural life; fine must cover medical treatment of victim.

Consolidates IPC 336, 337, and 338 into Section 125 with graduated penalties for endangering act, simple hurt caused, and grievous hurt caused.

Imprisonment up to 1 month, or fine up to 5,000 rupees, or with community service.

Imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to 5,000 rupees. Graduated penalties for 3+ days (127(3)) and 10+ days (127(4)).

Punishment increased to imprisonment up to 5 years (previously 2 years under IPC 353), or fine, or both.

Section 137(1) defines kidnapping from India and lawful guardianship; 137(2) punishes with up to 7 years imprisonment and fine.

Punishable with death or imprisonment for life and fine.

Comprehensive provisions for trafficking of adults (7-10 yrs) and minors (10-14 yrs / natural life).

Repeals colonial offence of 'Sedition' (disaffection towards Government). Replaced by precise offence targeting acts exciting secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, or endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. Punishable with 7 years up to life.

5 or more persons with designated unlawful common objects (overawing Govt, resisting law, committing mischief/trespass). Punishable up to 6 months or fine or both.

Doctrine of constructive liability for unlawful assembly preserved verbatim under Section 190 BNS.

Section 191(1) defines rioting. 191(2) punishes simple rioting (up to 2 yrs); 191(3) punishes armed rioting (up to 5 yrs).

Re-numbered to Section 196. Up to 3 years imprisonment or fine; up to 5 years if committed in place of worship (196(2)).

Re-numbered to Section 221. Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to 2,500 rupees.

Re-numbered to Section 223. Common invocation during curfews / Section 144 CrPC (now BNSS 163).

Giving false evidence in judicial proceedings punishable up to 7 years & fine; in other cases up to 3 years.

Re-numbered to Section 238. Graduated penalties based on whether main offence is capital (up to 7 yrs), life (up to 3 yrs), or lesser.

Re-numbered to Section 248. Imprisonment up to 2 years, or up to 7 years if false charge was of capital/life offence.

Re-numbered from 279 IPC to 281 BNS. Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to 1,000 rupees, or both.

Re-numbered to Section 296 BNS. Up to 3 months imprisonment or fine or both.

Re-numbered to Section 299 BNS. Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Section 303(1) defines theft. Section 303(2) prescribes punishment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. First-time offenders stealing property under Rs 5,000 upon return can be sentenced to community service.

Brand new statutory offence codified in BNS. Specifically defines snatching: theft where offender suddenly, quickly, or forcibly seizes, secures, or grabs movable property. Rigorous imprisonment up to 3 years and fine.

Re-numbered to Section 305(a). Punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Re-numbered to Section 306 BNS. Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Section 308(1) defines extortion. Section 308(2) prescribes punishment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Section 309(1) defines robbery. Section 309(4) punishes robbery with rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years, and if committed on highway between sunset and sunrise up to 14 years.

Imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.

Section 310(1) defines dacoity (robbery committed by 5 or more persons). Section 310(2) punishes with imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.

Minimum statutory imprisonment of 7 years.

Section 316(1) defines CBT. Section 316(2) prescribes punishment up to 5 years (enhanced from 3 years in IPC 406) or fine or both.

Re-numbered to Section 316(5). Punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.

Section 317(1) defines stolen property. Section 317(2) punishes receiver with imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

All cheating forms unified under Section 318. Sub-section (1) defines cheating; sub-section (2) punishes simple cheating with imprisonment up to 3 years (up from 1 year in IPC 417).

Direct statutory successor to IPC 420. Punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Imprisonment up to 5 years (up from 3 years in IPC 419) or fine or both.

Consolidates definition and penalties. Damage above Rs 20,000 punishable up to 2 years.

Punishable with imprisonment for life or up to 10 years and fine.

Consolidates criminal trespass (329(3) - up to 3 months) and house-trespass (329(4) - up to 1 year or fine or community service).

Re-numbered to Section 331(3). Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Section 336(1) defines forgery. Section 336(2) punishes forgery with imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Direct successor to Section 468 IPC. Punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Direct successor to Section 467 IPC. Punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment up to 10 years, and fine.

Re-numbered from 471 IPC to 340(2) BNS. Offender is punished in the same manner as if he had forged such document.

Section 351(1) defines criminal intimidation. Section 351(2) punishes simple threat (up to 2 yrs or fine); Section 351(3) punishes threat to cause death, grievous hurt or unchastity (up to 7 yrs or fine).

Re-numbered to Section 352 BNS. Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Section 356(1) codifies definition and 10 classical exceptions. Section 356(2) prescribes simple imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both, or with Community Service.

Section 35(1)(c) mandates that for offences punishable with imprisonment of less than 3 years, arrest of infirm/elderly (above 60) requires prior permission of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Section 35(3) carries forward mandatory Section 41A notice.

Requires publishing proclamation allowing 30 days. Enhanced provisions for electronic notice and attached property administration.

Allows electronic documents and metadata production notices.

Revolutionary procedural mandate: The process of conducting search of a place or taking possession of any property, including preparation of list, MUST be recorded through audio-video electronic means (preferably mobile phone) and forwarded without delay to Magistrate.

Strict statutory target: application for interim maintenance shall, as far as possible, be disposed of within 60 days from date of notice.

Explicitly codifies: (1) Zero FIR (can be registered at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction); (2) Electronic FIR (e-FIR taken on record with signature within 3 days); (3) Preliminary enquiry permissible within 14 days for offences punishable between 3 to 7 years with DSP permission.

Statutorily codifies mandatory prerequisites: Complainant must have first filed complaint under 173(1) and 173(4) (SP complaint), and application must be supported by an affidavit.

Statements may be recorded by audio-video electronic means.

Mandatory recording of statements of victims of sexual offences under audio-video recording.

Significant modification: Police custody of up to 15 days can now be granted in whole or in parts at any time during initial 40 days (for 60-day cases) or 60 days (for 90-day cases). Statutory Default Bail rights preserved upon expiry of 60/90 days.

Mandates police to inform victim/informant of the progress of investigation within 90 days, including by electronic communication.

Explicitly codifies that further investigation requires prior permission of the Court which took cognizance. Targeted 90-day completion.

Cognizance on police report, private complaint, or information received.

Crucial procedural safeguard added: No Magistrate shall take cognizance on a complaint without giving the accused an opportunity of being heard.

Strict 60-day limitation: Application for discharge shall be preferred within 60 days from date of supply of copies under Section 230.

Re-numbered to Section 348 BNSS. Broad power of trial court to recall witnesses for just decision.

Allows examination of accused through audio-video electronic means.

Re-numbered to Section 358 BNSS.

Statutory table updated to reflect corresponding BNS sections.

Re-numbered to Section 430 BNSS.

Re-numbered to Sections 438 & 442. Revision barred against interlocutory orders.

Bail is an absolute matter of right for bailable offences. Mandatory release of indigent person on personal bond.

Major pro-liberty amendment: A first-time offender (who has never been previously convicted of any offence) SHALL be released on personal bond upon undergoing ONE-THIRD (1/3rd) of the maximum imprisonment, rather than one-half.

Re-numbered to Section 480 BNSS. Special proviso for women, sick or infirm persons, or persons under 16 years preserved.

Crucial Re-numbering: Anticipatory Bail is now Section 482 BNSS (formerly 438 CrPC). Deletes sub-section (1B) of CrPC regarding mandatory personal presence of applicant, removing room for surprise arrest in court.

Crucial Re-numbering: Regular Bail before Sessions and High Court is now Section 483 BNSS (formerly 439 CrPC). Mandates notice to Public Prosecutor and informant in specified offences.

Crucial Re-numbering: Inherent Powers of High Court to quash FIRs and proceedings is now Section 528 BNSS (formerly 482 CrPC). Substantively identical; full jurisdiction preserved to prevent abuse of process of any court or secure ends of justice.

Re-numbered to Section 4 BSA. Doctrine of Res Gestae preserved.

Re-numbered to Section 6 BSA.

Allows electronic / video recording of Test Identification Parades.

Re-numbered to Section 8 BSA.

Re-numbered to Section 9 BSA. Standard of proof for plea of alibi remains strict.

Re-affirms bedrock principle: No confession made to a police officer shall be proved as against a person accused of any offence.

Re-codifies the historic Doctrine of Discovery under Section 23(2) BSA. Encourages audio-video recording of disclosure and recovery memo.

Re-numbered to Section 26(a) BSA. Explicitly recognizes electronic audio-video recording of dying declaration.

Expanded beyond foreign law, science, art, handwriting and finger impressions to expressly include digital and cyber forensic examiners.

Electronic records stored across multiple cloud servers or optical/semiconductor media recognized as primary evidence.

Direct statutory successor to Section 65B IEA. Re-numbered to Section 63 BSA. Incorporates standardized Schedule certificate format; covers cloud storage, server logs, mobile SMS, WhatsApp, and location metadata. Electronic records defined as primary evidence unless questioned.

Re-numbered to Sections 104 & 105 BSA. Golden rule: Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Applies to General Exceptions under Chapter III BNS (Private Defence, Insanity, Intoxication).

Re-numbered to Section 109 BSA.

Re-numbered to Section 117 BSA. Works with Section 108 and 85/86 BNS.

Mandatory presumption ('shall presume'). Works in tandem with Section 80 BNS (old 304B IPC).

Illustrations regarding stolen property, accomplice testimony, official acts, bill of exchange preserved.

Mandatory presumption in prosecutions under Section 64(2) BNS where sexual intercourse proved and woman states she did not consent.

Protects confidentiality of advocate-client consultations, drafts, and advice.

No particular number of witnesses shall in any case be required for proof of any fact (Quality over quantity).

Re-numbered to Sections 142 & 143 BSA.

Leading questions barred in examination-in-chief without court permission; freely permitted in cross-examination.

Re-numbered to Section 150 BSA.

Court may permit party calling witness to put questions which might be put in cross-examination.