Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 251
Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender
In one line
BNS Section 251 deals with offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender and replaces IPC 214.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 251(a) | Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender if the offence is punishable with death. | Imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
| 251(b) | If punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for 10 years. | Imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
| 251(c) | If punishable with imprisonment for less than 10 years. | Imprisonment for one-fourth of the longest term, provided for the offence, or fine, 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 251
251. Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender.
Whoever gives or causes, or offers or agrees to give or cause, any gratification to any person, or restores or causes the restoration of any property to any person, in consideration of that person’s concealing an offence, or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment shall,— (a) if the offence is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; (b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; (c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Exception.—The provisions of this section and section 250 do not extend to any case in which the offence may lawfully be compounded.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 214 → BNS 251: Formal change but essence is same.
- IPC 214 → BNS 251: Section is reorganized in form of clauses (a), (b) and (c) and sub-headings are dropped.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 251 in the IPC?
BNS Section 251 (Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender) replaces Section 214 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 214 is now BNS 251.
What is the punishment under BNS 251(a)?
Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender if the offence is punishable with death – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
What is the punishment under BNS 251(b)?
If punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for 10 years – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
What is the punishment under BNS 251(c)?
If punishable with imprisonment for less than 10 years – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
Is BNS 251 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 251(a), 251(b), 251(c). 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 246 — Dishonestly making false claim in Court
- BNS 247 — Fraudulently obtaining decree for sum not due
- BNS 248 — False charge of offence made with intent to injure
- BNS 249 — Harbouring offender
- BNS 250 — Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment
- BNS 252 — Taking gift to help to recover stolen property, etc
- BNS 253 — Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered
- BNS 254 — Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits
- BNS 255 — Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
- BNS 256 — Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture