BNS Section 90: Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage (formerly IPC 314)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · in force from 1 July 2024
BNS 90: Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage
From 1 July 2024
(1) Whoever, with intent to cause the miscarriage of a woman with child, does any act which causes the death of such woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) Where the act referred to in sub-section (1) is done without the consent of the woman, shall be punishable either with imprisonment for life, or with the punishment specified in said sub-section.
Explanation.—It is not essential to this offence that the offender should know that the act is likely to cause death.
What it replaced in the IPC
BNS 90 ← IPC 314 · Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriageChanged
BPR&D's comparison records a change. Read what changed before relying on the old wording.
What changed, per BPR&D: Heading of para-2 “if act done without woman’s consent” is excluded. The words "Where the act referred to in sub-section (1)” are added.
Printed in both official correspondence tables (BPR&D and NCRB).
Whoever, with intent to cause the miscarriage of a woman with child, does any act which causes the death of such woman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine; if act done without woman's consent.—and if the act is done without the consent of the woman, shall be punished either with [imprisonment for life], or with the punishment above mentioned.
Explanation.—It is not essential to this offence that the offender should know that the act is likely to cause death.
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 314
They remain the law on IPC 314. 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 10.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: bare Act with Corresponding Section Table, National Crime Records Bureau (Sankalan), page 33.
- 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.