IPC 201→BNS 238

IPC 201 to BNS 238: Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender

Section 201 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 238 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 201 →View BNS Section 238 →

IPC 201 to BNS 238 at a Glance

Section 201 IPC (Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) is now Section 238 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 201 to BNS 238?

Section 201 IPC is now Section 238 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishments. The BNS sets the three punishments out as clauses a, b and c and drops the marginal headings that labelled them in the IPC. The illustration is the same.

IPC 201 vs BNS 238: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section201238
OffenceCausing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offenderSame
PunishmentWhere the offence concealed is punishable with death, imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. Where it is punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, imprisonment of either description for up to three years. Where it is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending to ten years, imprisonment of the description provided for that offence, for up to one-fourth of its longest term.Same
FineFine is added in the first two tiers. In the third the offender may be punished with fine alone, or with both imprisonment and fine.Same
BailBailableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of Session where the offence concealed is punishable with death; Magistrate of the first class where it is punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years; otherwise the court by which the offence is triableSame

IPC 201 and BNS 238: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 201, IPC 1860

201. Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender.—Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false, if a capital offence.—shall, if the offence which he knows or believes to have been committed is punishable with death be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; if punishable with imprisonment for life.—and if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; if punishable with less than ten years’ imprisonment.—and if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of the imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Illustration A, knowing that B has murdered Z, assists B to hide the body with the intention of screening B from punishment. A is liable to imprisonment of either description for seven years, and also to fine.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 238, BNS 2023

Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false shall,— (a) if the offence which he knows or believes to have been committed is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; (b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; (c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of the imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Illustration. A, knowing that B has murdered Z, assists B to hide the body with the intention of screening B from punishment. A is liable to imprisonment of either description for seven years, and also to fine.

Ingredients: IPC 201 vs BNS 238

Under IPC 201
  1. The accused knew or had reason to believe that the offence had been committed
  2. The accused caused evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, or gave information respecting it which he knew or believed to be false
  3. The accused acted with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment
Under BNS 238
  1. An offence has been committed, which the accused knows or has reason to believe
  2. Disappearance of evidence of that offence caused by the accused, or information respecting it given by him which he knows or believes to be false
  3. The intention of screening the offender from legal punishment

What IPC 201 to BNS 238 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 201 IPC (now Section 238 BNS): the offence and the punishments are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 238 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before. The tier still turns on the offence that the accused knows or believes to have been committed.

FAQs: IPC 201 to BNS 238

What changed when Section 201 IPC became Section 238 BNS?▼

Only the number and the layout. Section 238 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 201 IPC, and the punishments are the same. The three punishments are set out as clauses a, b and c.

Where does Section 201 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 238 BNS, in Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.

Does Section 201 IPC or Section 238 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 201 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 201 IPC. Section 238 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 ·