भारतीय न्याय संहिता, 2023
Full Title: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023)
Replaces: Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
Enacted: 25 December 2023 | Effective: 1 July 2024
Total Sections: 358 (vs 511 in IPC) | Chapters: 20
Objective: Modernize substantive criminal law — decolonize, simplify, and add new-age offences
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the 163-year-old Indian Penal Code. While it retains most offence definitions, it restructures the code, adds new offences (organized crime, terrorism, mob lynching), enhances punishments for crimes against women and children, introduces community service as punishment, and removes outdated colonial provisions like sedition (Section 124A IPC replaced with a narrower provision).
New provision targeting organized crime syndicates — kidnapping, robbery, extortion, land grabbing, contract killing, cyber crime, economic offences committed as a syndicate. Punishment: up to life imprisonment or death penalty (if organized crime results in death). Leader of organized crime syndicate faces enhanced punishment.
First time defined in the general penal code (earlier only in UAPA). Includes acts intended to threaten India's unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty, or to strike terror in the public. Punishment: death or life imprisonment + property attachment.
Murder by a group of five or more persons on grounds of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief — punishable with death or life imprisonment (minimum 7 years). This addresses the gap that existed in IPC regarding mob violence.
Section 124A IPC (Sedition) has been repealed. Replaced with a narrower provision targeting acts that endanger sovereignty, unity, and integrity through armed rebellion, subversive activities, use of financial means, or electronic communication to excite secession. Key difference: mere words or criticism of government are NOT an offence — only acts with intention or tendency to cause armed rebellion or subversion.
| Offence | IPC Section | BNS Section | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 302 | 103 | Mob lynching added |
| Culpable Homicide | 304 | 105 | Similar |
| Dowry Death | 304B | 80 | Similar |
| Kidnapping | 363 | 137 | Similar |
| Rape | 376 | 63 | Gang rape on minor: death penalty |
| Theft | 378 | 303 | Similar + snatching added |
| Robbery/Dacoity | 391-395 | 309-311 | Similar |
| Cheating | 420 | 318 | Similar |
| Criminal Breach of Trust | 405 | 316 | Similar |
| Defamation | 499-500 | 356 | Community service added |
| Sedition | 124A | Repealed | Replaced by Sec. 152 |
| Attempt to Suicide | 309 | Repealed | Decriminalized |
| Organized Crime | — | 111 | New |
| Terrorism | — | 113 | New |
Expert representation for bail, quashing, criminal appeals, and defence before P&H High Court.