Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 205
Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent
In one line
BNS Section 205 deals with wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent and replaces IPC 171.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent. | Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Cognizable. | Bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
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 205
205. Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent.
Whoever, not belonging to a certain class of public servants, wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by that class of public servants, with the intention that it may be believed, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed, that he belongs to that class of public servants, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 171 → BNS 205: Upper limit of fine is increased from rupees two hundred to five thousand.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 205 in the IPC?
BNS Section 205 (Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent) replaces Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 171 is now BNS 205.
What is the punishment under BNS 205?
Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
Is BNS 205 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 205. Bail in a non-bailable offence is at the court's discretion; the classification decides procedure, not the outcome of a particular bail application.
Still citing the IPC? Convert any old section in seconds, or keep the whole case — dates, clients and sections — in one diary.
Nearby BNS sections
- BNS 200 — Punishment for non-treatment of victim
- BNS 201 — Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury
- BNS 202 — Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade
- BNS 203 — Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property
- BNS 204 — Personating a public servant
- BNS 206 — Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding
- BNS 207 — Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof
- BNS 208 — Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant
- BNS 209 — Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- BNS 210 — Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it