BNS Section 4: Punishments (formerly IPC 53)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · in force from 1 July 2024
BNS 4: Punishments
From 1 July 2024
The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Sanhita are -
(a) Death;
(b) Imprisonment for life;
(c) Imprisonment, which is of two descriptions, namely:—
(1) Rigorous, that is, with hard labour;
(2) Simple;
(d) Forfeiture of property;
(e) Fine;
(f) Community Service.
What it replaced in the IPC
BNS 4 ← IPC 53 · PunishmentsChanged
BPR&D's comparison records a change. Read what changed before relying on the old wording.
What changed, per BPR&D: ‘Community service' is added to punishments. The definition of community service is not given in BNS, but the explanation in Section 23 of the BNSS defines it as the "work which the court may order a convert to perform as a form of punishment that benefits the community, for which he shall not be entitled to any remuneration".
Printed in both official correspondence tables (BPR&D and NCRB).
The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Code are—
First.—Death; [Secondly.—Imprisonment for life;] * * * * *
Fourthly.—Imprisonment, which is of two descriptions, namely:—
(1) Rigorous, that is, with hard labour;
(2) Simple;
Fifthly.—Forfeiture of property;
Sixthly.—Fine.
Which one applies
An offence is governed by the law in force when it was committed. An offence committed before 1 July 2024 is charged and punished under the IPC; one committed on or after that date, under the BNS. Section 358 of the BNS, which repeals the IPC, preserves every liability and proceeding already incurred under it.
Read BNS section 358 →Judgments decided under IPC 53
They remain the law on IPC 53. Where the provision changed in the move, read what changed before relying on one for an offence after 1 July 2024.
Sources
- Correspondence Table and Comparison Summary of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 to the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Bureau of Police Research & Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, page 4.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: bare Act with Corresponding Section Table, National Crime Records Bureau (Sankalan), page 23.
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860), as amended, India Code, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice.
BPR&D is the Bureau of Police Research & Development (Ministry of Home Affairs); NCRB the National Crime Records Bureau. Their correspondence tables are training aids, not law. This page is general information, not legal advice on any case; the bare Acts as published by the Government of India are the authority.