IPC 118→BNS 58

IPC 118 to BNS 58: Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life

Section 118 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 58 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 118 →View BNS Section 58 →

IPC 118 to BNS 58 at a Glance

Section 118 IPC (Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life) is now Section 58 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 118 to BNS 58?

Section 118 IPC is replaced by Section 58 BNS. The words by the use of encryption or any other information hiding tool were already in Section 118 IPC, added by the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008, and Section 58 BNS keeps them. Section 58 BNS sets out the two punishments as clauses a and b and drops the marginal words if offence be committed and if offence be not committed. The words and in either case shall also be liable to fine become and shall also be liable to fine, placed after both clauses. The terms of seven years and three years and the illustration are unchanged.

IPC 118 vs BNS 58: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section11858
OffenceConcealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for lifeSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years if the offence be committed, or to three years if the offence be not committed.Same
FineLiable to fine in addition to imprisonment in either case under the IPC. The section sets no maximum amount.Liable to fine in addition to imprisonment in either case under Section 58 BNS. The section sets no maximum amount.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt by which offence abetted is triableSame

IPC 118 and BNS 58: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 118, IPC 1860

118. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.—Whoever intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby facilitate the commission of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, voluntarily conceals by any act or omission or by the use of encryption or any other information hiding tool, the existence of a design to commit such offence or makes any representation which he knows to be false respecting such design, if offence be committed; if offence be not committed.—shall, if that offence be committed, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or, if the offence be not committed, with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to three years; and in either case shall also be liable to fine. Illustration A, knowing that dacoity is about to be committed at B, falsely informs the Magistrate that a dacoity is about to be committed at C, a place in an opposite direction, and thereby misleads the Magistrate with intent to facilitate the commission of the offence. The dacoity is committed at B in pursuance of the design. A is punishable under this section.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 58, BNS 2023

Whoever intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby facilitate the commission of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, voluntarily conceals by any act or omission, or by the use of encryption or any other information hiding tool, the existence of a design to commit such offence or makes any representation which he knows to be false respecting such design shall,— (a) if that offence be committed, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years; or (b) if the offence be not committed, with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. Illustration. A, knowing that dacoity is about to be committed at B, falsely informs the Magistrate that a dacoity is about to be committed at C, a place in an opposite direction, and thereby misleads the Magistrate with intent to facilitate the commission of the offence. The dacoity is committed at B in pursuance of the design. A is punishable under this section.

Ingredients: IPC 118 vs BNS 58

Under IPC 118
  1. The existence of a design to commit an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life
  2. Voluntary concealment of the design by an act or omission, or by the use of encryption or another information hiding tool, or making a representation respecting the design known to be false
  3. An intention to facilitate the commission of the offence, or knowledge that such conduct is likely to facilitate its commission
Under BNS 58
  1. Voluntary concealment of a design to commit an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life
  2. Concealment by any act or omission, or by the use of encryption or any other information hiding tool
  3. Making any representation known to be false respecting such design
  4. Intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that such conduct will facilitate the commission of the offence

What IPC 118 to BNS 58 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 118 IPC (now Section 58 BNS): under Section 58 BNS, concealing a design to commit an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life carries the same punishments as under Section 118 IPC. A charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 58 BNS.

FAQs: IPC 118 to BNS 58

What changed from Section 118 IPC in Section 58 BNS?▼

Only the layout. Section 58 BNS sets out the two punishments as clauses a and b, drops the marginal words, and places the liability to fine after both clauses. Concealment by encryption or any other information hiding tool was already covered by Section 118 IPC. The terms of seven years if the offence is committed and three years if it is not are unchanged.

Where does Section 118 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 58 BNS, in Chapter IV, Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt.

Does Section 118 IPC or Section 58 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 118 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 118 IPC. Section 58 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·