Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 254
Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits
In one line
BNS Section 254 deals with penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits and replaces IPC 216A.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 254 | Harbouring robbers or dacoits. | Rigorous imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | 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 254
254. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.
Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that any persons are about to commit or have recently committed robbery or dacoity, harbours them or any of them, with the intention of facilitating the commission of such robbery or dacoity, or of screening them or any of them from punishment, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For the purposes of this section it is immaterial whether the robbery or dacoity is intended to be committed, or has been committed, within or without India. Exception.—The provisions of this section do not extend to the case in which the harbour is by the spouse of the offender.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 216A → BNS 254: Formal changes but essence is same- "husband or wife" is replaced by "spouse".
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 254 in the IPC?
BNS Section 254 (Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits) replaces Section 216A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 216A is now BNS 254.
What is the punishment under BNS 254?
Harbouring robbers or dacoits – punishable with rigorous imprisonment 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 cognizable and bailable, triable by magistrate of the first class.
Is BNS 254 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 254. 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 249 — Harbouring offender
- BNS 250 — Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment
- BNS 251 — Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender
- 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 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
- BNS 257 — Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law
- BNS 258 — Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law
- BNS 259 — Intentional omission to apprehend on part of public servant bound to apprehend