IPC 120→BNS 60

IPC 120 to BNS 60: Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment

Section 120 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 60 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 120 →View BNS Section 60 →

IPC 120 to BNS 60 at a Glance

Section 120 IPC (Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment) is now Section 60 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 120 to BNS 60?

Section 120 IPC is replaced by Section 60 BNS. Section 60 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 by any act or illegal omission are kept. The fractions of one-fourth of the longest term if the offence is committed and one-eighth if it is not committed are unchanged.

IPC 120 vs BNS 60: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section12060
OffenceConcealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonmentSame
PunishmentImprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term extending to one-fourth of the longest term if committed, or extending to one-eighth if not committed.Same
FineFine as provided for the offence, as an alternative or in addition to imprisonment, where applicable under the relevant limb.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt by which offence abetted is triableSame

IPC 120 and BNS 60: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 120, IPC 1860

120. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment.—Whoever, intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby facilitate the commission of an offence punishable with imprisonment, voluntarily conceals, by any act or illegal omission, 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 the offence be committed, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth, and, if the offence be not committed, to one-eighth, of the longest term of such imprisonment, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 60, BNS 2023

Whoever, intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby facilitate the commission of an offence punishable with imprisonment, voluntarily conceals, by any act or illegal omission, 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 the offence be committed, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth; and (b) if the offence be not committed, to one-eighth, of the longest term of such imprisonment, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 120 vs BNS 60

Under IPC 120
  1. The existence of a design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment
  2. Voluntary concealment of the design by an act or illegal omission, 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 60
  1. Concealment of a design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment
  2. Voluntary concealment of the design by an act or illegal omission
  3. Making a representation respecting the design known to be false
  4. Intending to facilitate or knowing it to be likely that such conduct will facilitate the commission of the offence

What IPC 120 to BNS 60 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 120 IPC (now Section 60 BNS): under Section 60 BNS, concealing a design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment is structured into two lettered clauses without any modification to the substantive elements or punishment ratios. A charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 60 BNS.

FAQs: IPC 120 to BNS 60

What changed from Section 120 IPC in Section 60 BNS?▼

Only the layout. Section 60 BNS sets out the two punishments as clauses a and b and drops the marginal words. The elements are unchanged, and so are the fractions of one-fourth and one-eighth.

Where does Section 120 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 60 BNS, in Chapter IV, Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt.

Does Section 120 IPC or Section 60 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 120 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 120 IPC. Section 60 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 ·