Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 80
Dowry death
In one line
BNS Section 80 deals with dowry death and replaces IPC 304B.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80(2) | Dowry death. | Imprisonment for not less than 7 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life. | Cognizable. | Non-bailable. | Court of Session. |
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 80
80. Dowry death.
(1) Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of her marriage and it is shown that soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband for, or in connection with, any demand for dowry, such death shall be called “dowry death”, and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “dowry” shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961).
(2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 80 in the IPC?
BNS Section 80 (Dowry death) replaces Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 304B is now BNS 80.
What is the punishment under BNS 80(2)?
Dowry death – punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and non-bailable, triable by court of Session.
Is BNS 80 bailable?
Non-bailable: BNS 80(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 75 — Sexual harassment
- BNS 76 — Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe
- BNS 77 — Voyeurism
- BNS 78 — Stalking
- BNS 79 — Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman
- BNS 81 — Cohabitation caused by man deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage
- BNS 82 — Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife
- BNS 83 — Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage
- BNS 84 — Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman
- BNS 85 — Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty