IPC 124→BNS 151

IPC 124 to BNS 151: Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power

Section 124 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 151 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 124 →View BNS Section 151 →

IPC 124 to BNS 151 at a Glance

Section 124 IPC (Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power) is now Section 151 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 124 to BNS 151?

Section 124 IPC is now Section 151 BNS, with the same words and the same punishment. Only the heading differs, as Section 151 BNS drops the article before exercise of any lawful power.

IPC 124 vs BNS 151: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section124151
OffenceAssaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful powerSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to seven years.Same
FineThe offender is also liable to fine.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 124 and BNS 151: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 124, IPC 1860

124. Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power.—Whoever, with the intention of inducing or compelling the President of India, or Governor of any State, to exercise or refrain from exercising in any manner any of the lawful powers of such President or Governor, assaults or wrongfully restrains, or attempts wrongfully to restrain, or overawes, by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force, or attempts so to overawe, such President or Governor, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 151, BNS 2023

Whoever, with the intention of inducing or compelling the President of India, or Governor of any State, to exercise or refrain from exercising in any manner any of the lawful powers of such President or Governor, assaults or wrongfully restrains, or attempts wrongfully to restrain, or overawes, by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force, or attempts so to overawe, such President or Governor, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Ingredients: IPC 124 vs BNS 151

Under IPC 124
  1. The accused acted with the intention of inducing or compelling the President of India, or the Governor of any State, to exercise or refrain from exercising any lawful power
  2. The accused assaulted or wrongfully restrained the President or Governor, or overawed the President or Governor by criminal force or the show of criminal force, or attempted to do so
Under BNS 151
  1. Purpose of inducing or compelling the President of India or a State Governor to use or hold back any lawful power
  2. Assault, wrongful restraint or overawing of the President or Governor by criminal force or the show of it, or an attempt to do so

What IPC 124 to BNS 151 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 124 IPC (now Section 151 BNS): the wording and the punishment are the same, so a charge framed under Section 124 IPC reads across to Section 151 BNS without any change of substance.

FAQs: IPC 124 to BNS 151

What changed when Section 124 IPC became Section 151 BNS?▼

Only the heading. Section 151 BNS leaves out the article before exercise of any lawful power. The words of the offence and the punishment are the same.

Where does Section 124 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 151 BNS, in Chapter VII, Of Offences Against the State.

Does Section 124 IPC or Section 151 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 124 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 124 IPC. Section 151 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 ·