IPC 157→BNS 189(7)

IPC 157 to BNS 189(7): Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly

Section 157 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 189(7) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 157 →View BNS Section 189(7) →

IPC 157 to BNS 189(7) at a Glance

Section 157 IPC (Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly) is now Section 189(7) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 157 to BNS 189(7)?

Section 157 IPC is now Section 189(7) BNS, in the same words and with the same punishment. The BNS gives it no separate heading, because Section 189 BNS, headed Unlawful assembly, gathers Sections 141 to 145, 150, 151, 157 and 158 IPC into nine sub-sections. One related rule differs. Section 52A IPC kept Section 157 IPC out of its wider meaning of harbour, and Section 2(13) BNS, which now defines the word, carries no such exception.

IPC 157 vs BNS 189(7): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section157189(7)
OffenceHarbouring persons hired for an unlawful assemblySame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to six months.Same
FineThe offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 157 and BNS 189(7): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 157, IPC 1860

157. Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly.—Whoever harbours, receives or assembles, in any house or premises in his occupation or charge, or under his control any persons knowing that such persons have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be hired, engaged or employed, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 189(7), BNS 2023

(7) Whoever harbours, receives or assembles, in any house or premises in his occupation or charge, or under his control any persons knowing that such persons have been hired, engaged or employed, or are about to be hired, engaged or employed, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 157 vs BNS 189(7)

Under IPC 157
  1. The accused harboured, received or assembled persons
  2. This was in a house or premises in the accused's occupation or charge, or under his control
  3. The accused knew that those persons had been hired, engaged or employed, or were about to be hired, engaged or employed
  4. The purpose of the hiring, engagement or employment was that they join or become members of an unlawful assembly
Under BNS 189(7)
  1. The accused harboured, received or assembled persons in a house or premises in his occupation or charge, or under his control
  2. The accused knew that the persons had been hired, engaged or employed, or were about to be, to join or become members of an unlawful assembly

What IPC 157 to BNS 189(7) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 157 IPC (now Section 189(7) BNS): the words and the punishment are unchanged, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 189(7) BNS. The one point to note is the word harbour. Section 52A IPC excepted Section 157 IPC from the wider meaning it gave the word, and Section 2(13) BNS, which now defines it, states no exception.

FAQs: IPC 157 to BNS 189(7)

What changed when Section 157 IPC became Section 189(7) BNS?▼

Nothing in the words or the punishment. The offence is now Section 189(7) BNS, one sub-section of the single section on unlawful assembly. The one related difference is in the definition of harbour. Section 2(13) BNS has no counterpart to the exception that Section 52A IPC made for Section 157 IPC.

Where does Section 157 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 189(7) BNS, in Chapter XI, Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity. Section 189 BNS is headed Unlawful assembly.

Does Section 157 IPC or Section 189(7) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 157 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 157 IPC. Section 189(7) 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 ·