Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 241
Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence
In one line
BNS Section 241 deals with destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence and replaces IPC 204.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 | Secreting or destroying any document to prevent its production as evidence. | Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
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 241
241. Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence.
Whoever secretes or destroys any document or electronic record which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such document or electronic record with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 204 → BNS 241: The upper limit is imprisonment from two years to three years, and the fine is defined as up to five thousand rupees.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 241 in the IPC?
BNS Section 241 (Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence) replaces Section 204 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 204 is now BNS 241.
What is the punishment under BNS 241?
Secreting or destroying any document to prevent its production as evidence – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
Is BNS 241 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 241. 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 236 — False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence
- BNS 237 — Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false
- BNS 238 — Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender
- BNS 239 — Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform
- BNS 240 — Giving false information respecting an offence committed
- BNS 242 — False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution
- BNS 243 — Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- BNS 244 — Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- BNS 245 — Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due
- BNS 246 — Dishonestly making false claim in Court