Number ‘420’ in India has stood to indicate cheating, dishonesty and fraud, for more than 150 years in Indian courts, police stations, movies, dramas and households alike. It’s been nearly two months since the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2024 replaced 163-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Evidence Act. These new criminal laws have not only brought in changes to the law, but has put an end to the common cultural references with a rejig in the serial numbers. The police have started registering complaints and courts are interpreting law under new sections of BNS, BNSS and BSA, but the general public is yet to catch up. For instance, authorities will no longer impose Section 144 of CrPC to prevent assembly of more than 4 people, now they will impose Section 148 to prevent unlawful assembly.
With revision to the three criminal laws, the serial numbers in the codes were also revised. Now, Section 302 is not murder. The BNS deals with a wide range of offences and as the name suggests provides for the punishments that one is liable to for committing an offence defined under this code.
Incase you are still using the old sections, here’s a list of new serial number of most common crimes like murder, theft, extortion and cheating:
1) Murder Under BNS
Under the IPC, Section 302 dealt with the punishment for murder. It stated that anyone who intentionally kills another person, or causes bodily injury that is likely to result in death, can be charged with murder. Under the new BNS, Section 103 deals with murder.
ALSO READ | Why Supreme Court Ordered Retrospective Application Of Bail Provision Under BNSS
2) Kidnapping Under BNS
While Section 360 and 361 of IPC defined kidnapping, Section 363 of IPC stated that anyone who kidnaps someone from India or from lawful guardianship can be punished with imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine.
Under BNS, Section 137 categorises kidnapping into two types; Kidnapping from India and kidnapping from lawful guardianship.
Unlike IPC, there is no distinction between the age of boys and girls for kidnapping purposes. Thus, any child, which is defined as anyone under 18 years of age can be kidnapped. Earlier, age for boys was till 16-years for registering a kidnapping complaint.
3) Rape Under BNS
Under IPC, Section 375 of the IPC, defined rape as sexual intercourse with a woman against her will or in any way that has been stated as unlawful under this section. In BNS, the provision remains the same but the serial number changes to Section 63.
4) Dowry Deaths
Section 304 B in IPC, dealt with dowry deaths, but now Section 80 of BNS deals with it. Also, cruelty in marriage which was defined under Section 498-A, is now Section 86 of BNS.
5) Attempt To Murder
Section 307 of IPC meant a case of attempt to murder. Now, under BNS it is Section 63. Similarly, Section IPC of 320, which was causing grievous hurt is now Section 116.
7) Fraud, Cheating And Dishonestly
IPC’s Section 420 dealt with the crime of using cheating and dishonestly to induce someone to give away property. The punishment for this offense was upto seven years in prison and a fine. The section also applied to cases where someone was tricked into altering or destroying a valuable security. This Section 420 is now Section 318 under the BNS.
8) Extortion
Under Section 308 of BNS defines extortion as putting someone in fear of an accusation of committing an offense that could result in death, life imprisonment, or up to ten years in prison. The accused may also be charged with attempting to induce someone else to commit such an offense. The punishment for extortion under the BNS is imprisonment for up to ten years, and the accused may also be fined. Earlier, IPC’sSection 368 defined extortion as the act of dishonestly inducing someone to give up property or valuables through fear of injury to themselves or others.
ALSO READ | BSA’s Push For Digital Evidence May Expedite Trials But Risks Sacrificing Justice
9) Robbery
Under Section 309 of BNS, anyone who attempts to commit robbery can be punished with up to seven years in prison and a fine. If the person causes harm while committing or attempting the robbery, they can be punished with up to ten years imprisonment and fine. Under IPC, Section 390 dealt with robbery and defined robbery as theft or extortion.
