IPC 171E→BNS 173

IPC 171E to BNS 173: Punishment for bribery

Section 171E IPC (1860) replaced by Section 173 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 171E →View BNS Section 173 →

IPC 171E to BNS 173 at a Glance

Section 171E IPC (Punishment for bribery) is now Section 173 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and non-cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 171E to BNS 173?

Section 171E IPC is now Section 173 BNS, with the same title, the same words, the same proviso and the same Explanation, and the same punishment.

IPC 171E vs BNS 173: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section171E173
OffencePunishment for briberySame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to one year. Not available where the bribery is by treating.Same
FineFine alone, or with imprisonment. Where the bribery is by treating, only a fine can be imposed. The section fixes no amount.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 171E and BNS 173: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 171E, IPC 1860

171E. Punishment for bribery.—Whoever commits the offence of bribery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both: Provided that bribery by treating shall be punished with fine only. Explanation.—“Treating” means that form of bribery where the gratification consists in food, drink, entertainment, or provision.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 173, BNS 2023

Whoever commits the offence of bribery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both: Provided that bribery by treating shall be punished with fine only. Explanation.—“Treating” means that form of bribery where the gratification consists in food, drink, entertainment, or provision.

Ingredients: IPC 171E vs BNS 173

Under IPC 171E
  1. The accused commits the offence of bribery, as Section 171B IPC defines it
  2. Where the gratification consists in food, drink, entertainment or provision, the bribery is bribery by treating and is punished with fine only
Under BNS 173
  1. The offence of bribery
  2. Bribery by treating, where the gratification consists in food, drink, entertainment or provision, which is punished with fine only

What IPC 171E to BNS 173 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 171E IPC (now Section 173 BNS): the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 173 BNS and is framed exactly as before.

FAQs: IPC 171E to BNS 173

What changed when Section 171E IPC became Section 173 BNS?▼

Only the number. Section 173 BNS repeats the title, the words, the proviso and the Explanation of Section 171E IPC, and the punishment is the same.

Where does Section 171E IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 173 BNS, in Chapter IX, Of Offences Relating to Elections.

Does Section 171E IPC or Section 173 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 171E 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 171E IPC. Section 173 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 ·