IPC 189→BNS 224

IPC 189 to BNS 224: Threat of injury to public servant

Section 189 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 224 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 189 →View BNS Section 224 →

IPC 189 to BNS 224 at a Glance

Section 189 IPC (Threat of injury to public servant) is now Section 224 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 189 to BNS 224?

Section 189 IPC is now Section 224 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

IPC 189 vs BNS 224: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section189224
OffenceThreat of injury to public servantSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to two years.Same
FineThe offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 189 and BNS 224: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 189, IPC 1860

189. Threat of injury to public servant.—Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing that public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of such public servant, 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 224, BNS 2023

Whoever holds out any threat of injury to any public servant, or to any person in whom he believes that public servant to be interested, for the purpose of inducing that public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of such public servant, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 189 vs BNS 224

Under IPC 189
  1. The accused held out a threat of injury
  2. The threat was held out to a public servant, or to a person in whom the accused believes that public servant to be interested
  3. The threat was held out for the purpose of inducing the public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act
  4. That act was connected with the exercise of the public functions of the public servant
Under BNS 224
  1. A threat of injury held out by the accused
  2. A public servant, or a person in whom the accused believes that public servant to be interested, as the person threatened
  3. The purpose of inducing the public servant to do any act, or to forbear or delay to do any act, connected with the exercise of the public functions of that public servant

What IPC 189 to BNS 224 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 189 IPC (now Section 224 BNS): the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 224 BNS and is framed exactly as before.

FAQs: IPC 189 to BNS 224

What changed when Section 189 IPC became Section 224 BNS?▼

Only the number. Section 224 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 189 IPC, and the punishment is the same.

Where does Section 189 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 224 BNS, in Chapter XIII, Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants.

Does Section 189 IPC or Section 224 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 189 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 189 IPC. Section 224 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 ·