IPC 171H→BNS 176

IPC 171H to BNS 176: Illegal payments in connection with an election

Section 171H IPC (1860) replaced by Section 176 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 171H →View BNS Section 176 →

IPC 171H to BNS 176 at a Glance

Section 171H IPC (Illegal payments in connection with an election) is now Section 176 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 171H to BNS 176?

Section 171H IPC is now Section 176 BNS, with the same title and the same words except for the fine. The upper limit of the fine rises from five hundred rupees to ten thousand rupees.

IPC 171H vs BNS 176: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section171H176
OffenceIllegal payments in connection with an electionSame
PunishmentNone. Section 171H IPC provides no imprisonment.None. Section 176 BNS provides no imprisonment.
FineFine which may extend to five hundred rupees.Fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees.
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 171H and BNS 176: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 171H, IPC 1860

171H. Illegal payments in connection with an election.—Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of such candidate, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees: Provided that if any person having incurred any such expenses not exceeding the amount of ten rupees without authority obtains within ten days from the date on which such expenses were incurred the approval in writing of the candidate, he shall be deemed to have incurred such expenses with the authority of the candidate.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 176, BNS 2023

Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of such candidate, shall be punished with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees: Provided that if any person having incurred any such expenses not exceeding the amount of ten rupees without authority obtains within ten days from the date on which such expenses were incurred the approval in writing of the candidate, he shall be deemed to have incurred such expenses with the authority of the candidate.

Ingredients: IPC 171H vs BNS 176

Under IPC 171H
  1. The accused incurred or authorised expenses on account of a public meeting, an advertisement, a circular or a publication, or in any other way
  2. The accused had neither the general nor the special authority in writing of the candidate
  3. The expenses were for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of that candidate
Under BNS 176
  1. Expenses incurred or authorised for promoting or procuring the election of a candidate
  2. No general or special authority in writing from that candidate
  3. Fine, now up to ten thousand rupees under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

What IPC 171H to BNS 176 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 171H IPC (now Section 176 BNS): the offence is unchanged but the fine is higher, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 176 BNS and carries a fine of up to ten thousand rupees instead of five hundred.

FAQs: IPC 171H to BNS 176

What changed when Section 171H IPC became Section 176 BNS?▼

The number, and the fine. Section 176 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 171H IPC, but the fine may extend to ten thousand rupees instead of five hundred rupees.

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

In Section 176 BNS, in Chapter IX, Of Offences Relating to Elections.

Does Section 171H IPC or Section 176 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 171H 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 171H IPC. Section 176 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 ·