IPC 170 Is Now BNS 204: Personating a Public Servant

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	170	204
Offence	Personating a public servant	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.	Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years.
Fine	The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.	The offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Any Magistrate	Same

IPC 170 and BNS 204: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 170, IPC 1860

170. Personating a public servant.—Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 204, BNS 2023

Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine.

Ingredients: IPC 170 vs BNS 204

Under IPC 170

The accused pretended to hold a particular office as a public servant, knowing that he did not hold that office, or falsely personated another person holding that office
The accused was acting in that assumed character
In that character the accused did or attempted to do an act
The act was done under colour of that office

Under BNS 204

Pretending to hold a particular office as a public servant, knowing that the accused does not hold it, or falsely personating another person holding that office
An act, or an attempt to do an act, in that assumed character under colour of that office
Imprisonment of either description for not less than six months and up to three years, together with fine

What IPC 170 to BNS 204 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 170 IPC (now Section 204 BNS): the description of the offence is unchanged, but the punishment is stricter. An act done after the BNS came into force is charged under Section 204 BNS, and conviction carries imprisonment of not less than six months and fine.

FAQs: IPC 170 to BNS 204

What changed when Section 170 IPC became Section 204 BNS?▼

The punishment. Section 204 BNS describes the offence in the same words as Section 170 IPC, but it requires imprisonment of either description for not less than six months and up to three years, together with fine. Section 170 IPC allowed up to two years, or fine, or both.

Where does Section 170 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 204 BNS, in Chapter XII, Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants.

Does Section 170 IPC or Section 204 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 170 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 170 IPC. Section 204 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 170 to BNS 204: Personating a public servant

IPC 170 to BNS 204 at a Glance

What Changed From IPC 170 to BNS 204?

IPC 170 vs BNS 204: Comparison Table

IPC 170 and BNS 204: Bare Act Text Side by Side

Ingredients: IPC 170 vs BNS 204

What IPC 170 to BNS 204 Means for Pending Cases

FAQs: IPC 170 to BNS 204