Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 276
Adulteration of drugs
In one line
BNS Section 276 deals with adulteration of drugs and replaces IPC 274.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 276 | Adulterating any drug or medical preparation intended for sale so as to lessen its efficacy, or to change its operation, or to make it noxious. | Imprisonment for 1 year, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Non-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 276
276. Adulteration of drugs.
Whoever adulterates any drug or medical preparation in such a manner as to lessen the efficacy or change the operation of such drug or medical preparation, or to make it noxious, intending that it shall be sold or used for, or knowing it to be likely that it will be sold or used for, any medicinal purpose, as if it had not undergone such adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 274 → BNS 276: Upper limit of imprisonment is increased from six months to one years and fine is increased from one thousand to five thousand rupees.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 276 in the IPC?
BNS Section 276 (Adulteration of drugs) replaces Section 274 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 274 is now BNS 276.
What is the punishment under BNS 276?
Adulterating any drug or medical preparation intended for sale so as to lessen its efficacy, or to change its operation, or to make it noxious – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, 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 non-bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
Is BNS 276 bailable?
Non-bailable: BNS 276. 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 271 — Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- BNS 272 — Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- BNS 273 — Disobedience to quarantine rule
- BNS 274 — Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
- BNS 275 — Sale of noxious food or drink
- BNS 277 — Sale of adulterated drugs
- BNS 278 — Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
- BNS 279 — Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
- BNS 280 — Making atmosphere noxious to health
- BNS 281 — Rash driving or riding on a public way