IPC 166A→BNS 199

IPC 166A to BNS 199: Public servant disobeying direction under law

Section 166A IPC (1860) replaced by Section 199 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 166A →View BNS Section 199 →

IPC 166A to BNS 199 at a Glance

Section 166A IPC (Public servant disobeying direction under law) is now Section 199 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 166A to BNS 199?

Section 166A IPC is now Section 199 BNS, with the same title, the same first and second clauses and the same punishment. The third clause is rewritten to cite the new Codes. It names Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 where the IPC names Section 154(1) CrPC, and it lists Sections 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 74, 76, 77, 79, 124, 143 or 144 BNS in place of the IPC sections. The BNS list includes Section 77 BNS, voyeurism, which the IPC list did not name.

IPC 166A vs BNS 199: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section166A199
OffencePublic servant disobeying direction under lawSame
PunishmentRigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than six months which may extend to two years.Same
FineThe offender is also liable to fine.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 166A and BNS 199: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 166A, IPC 1860

166A. Public servant disobeying direction under law.—Whoever, being a public servant,— (a) knowingly disobeys any direction of the law which prohibits him from requiring the attendance at any place of any person for the purpose of investigation into an offence or any other matter, or (b) knowingly disobeys, to the prejudice of any person, any other direction of the law regulating the manner in which he shall conduct such investigation, or (c) fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), in relation to cognizable offence punishable under section 326A, section 326B, section 354, section 354B, section 370, section 370A, section 376, section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB, section 376E or section 509, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 199, BNS 2023

Whoever, being a public servant,— (a) knowingly disobeys any direction of the law which prohibits him from requiring the attendance at any place of any person for the purpose of investigation into an offence or any other matter; or (b) knowingly disobeys, to the prejudice of any person, any other direction of the law regulating the manner in which he shall conduct such investigation; or (c) fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in relation to cognizable offence punishable under section 64, section 65, section 66, section 67, section 68, section 70, section 71, section 74, section 76, section 77, section 79, section 124, section 143 or section 144, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Ingredients: IPC 166A vs BNS 199

Under IPC 166A
  1. The accused was a public servant
  2. Under the first clause, the accused knowingly disobeyed a direction of the law which prohibits the accused from requiring the attendance at any place of any person for the purpose of investigation into an offence or any other matter
  3. Under the second clause, the accused knowingly disobeyed, to the prejudice of any person, any other direction of the law regulating the manner in which the accused was to conduct such investigation
  4. Under the third clause, the accused failed to record information given under Section 154(1) CrPC in relation to a cognizable offence punishable under Sections 326A, 326B, 354, 354B, 370, 370A, 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB, 376E or 509 IPC
Under BNS 199
  1. The accused was a public servant
  2. The accused knowingly disobeyed a direction of the law which prohibits requiring any person to attend a place for investigation into an offence or any other matter
  3. The accused knowingly disobeyed, to the prejudice of any person, a direction of the law on the manner of the investigation
  4. The accused failed to record information given under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 about a cognizable offence punishable under Sections 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 74, 76, 77, 79, 124, 143 or 144 BNS

What IPC 166A to BNS 199 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 166A IPC (now Section 199 BNS): the title, the first two clauses and the punishment are unchanged. The third clause now refers to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and to the BNS sections, and its list includes voyeurism. A charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 199 BNS.

FAQs: IPC 166A to BNS 199

What changed when Section 166A IPC became Section 199 BNS?▼

The title and the punishment are the same, and so are the first and second clauses. Only the third clause differs. It cites Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 instead of Section 154(1) CrPC, it names BNS sections instead of IPC sections, and its list now includes Section 77 BNS, voyeurism.

Where does Section 166A IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 199 BNS, in Chapter XII, Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants.

Does Section 166A IPC or Section 199 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 166A 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 166A IPC. Section 199 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 ·