Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 297
Keeping lottery office
In one line
BNS Section 297 deals with keeping lottery office and replaces IPC 294A.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 297(1) | Keeping a lottery office. | Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
| 297(2) | Publishing proposals relating to lotteries. | Fine of 5,000 rupees. | Non-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 297
297. Keeping lottery office.
(1) Whoever keeps any office or place for the purpose of drawing any lottery not being a State lottery or a lottery authorised by the State Government, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
(2) Whoever publishes any proposal to pay any sum, or to deliver any goods, or to do or forbear from doing anything for the benefit of any person, on any event or contingency relative or applicable to the drawing of any ticket, lot, number or figure in any such lottery, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 294A → BNS 297: The upper limit of the fine is increased from one thousand to five thousand rupees.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 297 in the IPC?
BNS Section 297 (Keeping lottery office) replaces Section 294A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 294A is now BNS 297.
What is the punishment under BNS 297(1)?
Keeping a lottery office – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
What is the punishment under BNS 297(2)?
Publishing proposals relating to lotteries – punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
Is BNS 297 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 297(1), 297(2). 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 292 — Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
- BNS 293 — Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
- BNS 294 — Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc
- BNS 295 — Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child
- BNS 296 — Obscene acts and songs
- BNS 298 — Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class
- BNS 299 — Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs
- BNS 300 — Disturbing religious assembly
- BNS 301 — Trespassing on burial places, etc
- BNS 302 — Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person