Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 156
Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape
In one line
BNS Section 156 deals with public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of state or war to escape and replaces IPC 128.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156 | Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of state or war in his custody to escape. | Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 10 years and fine. | Cognizable. | Non-bailable. | Court of Session. |
Source: First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The punishment column is the Schedule’s summary; the section text below is what prescribes the punishment. Classification decides procedure (arrest, bail as of right, which court), not the result of any particular case.
Bare act text — BNS 156
156. Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape.
Whoever, being a public servant and having the custody of any State prisoner or prisoner of war, voluntarily allows such prisoner to escape from any place in which such prisoner is confined, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 156 in the IPC?
BNS Section 156 (Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape) replaces Section 128 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 128 is now BNS 156.
What is the punishment under BNS 156?
Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of state or war in his custody to escape – punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and non-bailable, triable by court of Session.
Is BNS 156 bailable?
Non-bailable: BNS 156. Bail in a non-bailable offence is at the court's discretion; the classification decides procedure, not the outcome of a particular bail application.
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Nearby BNS sections
- BNS 151 — Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain exercise of any lawful power
- BNS 152 — Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
- BNS 153 — Waging war against Government of any foreign State at peace with Government of India
- BNS 154 — Committing depredation on territories of foreign State at peace with Government of India
- BNS 155 — Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 153 and 154
- BNS 157 — Public servant negligently suffering such prisoner to escape
- BNS 158 — Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner
- BNS 159 — Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty
- BNS 160 — Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof
- BNS 161 — Abetment of assault by soldier, sailor or airman on his superior officer, when in execution of his office