IPC 139 Is Now BNS 167: Persons Subject to Certain Acts

What Changed From IPC 139 to BNS 167?

Section 139 IPC is now Section 167 BNS, with the same title. The list of Acts is shorter. Section 167 BNS names three, the Air Force Act, 1950, the Army Act, 1950 and the Navy Act, 1957. Section 139 IPC names six, among them the Naval Discipline Act and the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934, which the BNS does not name. The Navy Act, 1957 is new to the list. The words this Code become this Sanhita, and the BNS adds the words or shall be before subject to punishment.

IPC 139 vs BNS 167: Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	139	167
Offence	Persons subject to certain Acts	Same
Punishment	None. Section 139 IPC prescribes no punishment.	None. Section 167 BNS prescribes no punishment.
Fine	None. Section 139 IPC prescribes no fine.	None. Section 167 BNS prescribes no fine.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Non-Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same

IPC 139 and BNS 167: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 139, IPC 1860

139. Persons subject to certain Acts.—No person subject to the Army Act, the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), the Naval Discipline Act, the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934 (34 of 1934), the Air Force Act or the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950), is subject to punishment under this Code for any of the offences defined in this Chapter.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 167, BNS 2023

No person subject to the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950), the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950) and the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957), or shall be subject to punishment under this Sanhita for any of the offences defined in this Chapter.

Ingredients: IPC 139 vs BNS 167

Under IPC 139

The person is subject to the Army Act, the Army Act, 1950, the Naval Discipline Act, the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934, the Air Force Act or the Air Force Act, 1950
The offence alleged is one defined in the same Chapter, Chapter VII of the IPC

Under BNS 167

A person subject to the Acts the section names, the Air Force Act, 1950, the Army Act, 1950 and the Navy Act, 1957
The offence alleged is one defined in the same Chapter, Chapter VIII of the BNS

What IPC 139 to BNS 167 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 139 IPC (now Section 167 BNS): the rule is carried into the BNS, but the list of Acts is shorter. For an act done after the BNS came into force, the exemption is read from the three Acts that Section 167 BNS names, and the Naval Discipline Act and the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934 are no longer named in it.

FAQs: IPC 139 to BNS 167

What changed when Section 139 IPC became Section 167 BNS?▼

The number and the list of Acts. Section 167 BNS names the Air Force Act, 1950, the Army Act, 1950 and the Navy Act, 1957. Section 139 IPC named the Army Act, the Army Act, 1950, the Naval Discipline Act, the Indian Navy Discipline Act, 1934, the Air Force Act and the Air Force Act, 1950.

Where does Section 139 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 167 BNS, in Chapter VIII, Of Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Does Section 139 IPC or Section 167 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 139 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 139 IPC. Section 167 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 139 to BNS 167: Persons subject to certain Acts

IPC 139 to BNS 167 at a Glance