IPC 160 Is Now BNS 194(2): Committing Affray, What Changed

What Changed From IPC 160 to BNS 194(2)?

Section 160 IPC is now Section 194(2) BNS, with the same words and the same imprisonment. The one change in the punishment is the fine, whose ceiling rises from one hundred rupees to one thousand rupees. The BNS also puts the definition from Section 159 IPC and this punishment together in a single Section 194 BNS, headed Affray, as its first and second parts. The title Punishment for committing affray goes, and the part that takes in Section 160 IPC has no heading of its own.

IPC 160 vs BNS 194(2): Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	160	194(2)
Offence	Punishment for committing affray	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for up to one month.	Same
Fine	Fine of up to one hundred rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.	Fine of up to one thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Bail	Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Any Magistrate	Same

IPC 160 and BNS 194(2): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 160, IPC 1860

160. Punishment for committing affray.—Whoever commits an affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 194(2), BNS 2023

(2) Whoever commits an affray, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 160 vs BNS 194(2)

Under IPC 160

Two or more persons were fighting
The fighting was in a public place
The fighting disturbed the public peace
The accused took part in that fighting and so committed the affray

Under BNS 194(2)

Two or more persons, by fighting in a public place, disturbing the public peace, which Section 194(1) BNS says is to commit an affray
Commission of that affray by the accused

What IPC 160 to BNS 194(2) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 160 IPC (now Section 194(2) BNS): the fine is the one real change. For an act done after the BNS came into force, the charge cites Section 194(2) BNS and the fine may extend to one thousand rupees, where it could extend only to one hundred rupees before. Imprisonment of either description for up to one month is unchanged. The definition of an affray now sits in Section 194(1) BNS.

FAQs: IPC 160 to BNS 194(2)

What changed when Section 160 IPC became Section 194(2) BNS?▼

The fine ceiling rises from one hundred rupees to one thousand rupees. The imprisonment of either description for up to one month is the same, and the words of the offence are the same. The BNS also joins the definition of an affray and this punishment in one Section 194 BNS, headed Affray.

Where does Section 160 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 194(2) BNS, the second part of Section 194 BNS, in Chapter XI, Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity. Section 194(1) BNS holds the definition.

Does Section 160 IPC or Section 194(2) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 160 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 160 IPC. Section 194(2) BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 160 to BNS 194(2): Punishment for committing affray

IPC 160 to BNS 194(2) at a Glance