IPC 204→BNS 241

IPC 204 to BNS 241: Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence

Section 204 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 241 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 204 →View BNS Section 241 →

IPC 204 to BNS 241 at a Glance

Section 204 IPC (Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence) is now Section 241 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 204 to BNS 241?

Section 204 IPC is now Section 241 BNS. The title adds electronic record, the words Court of Justice become Court, the longest imprisonment rises from two years to three years, and the fine may now extend to five thousand rupees where the IPC fixes no amount.

IPC 204 vs BNS 241: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section204241
OffenceDestruction of document to prevent its production as evidenceSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to two years.Imprisonment of either description for up to three years.
FineThe offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine. The section fixes no amount.Fine up to five thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 204 and BNS 241: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 204, IPC 1860

204. Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence.—Whoever secretes or destroys any document or electronic record which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court of Justice, or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such document or electronic record with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, 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 241, BNS 2023

Whoever secretes or destroys any document or electronic record which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such document or electronic record with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 204 vs BNS 241

Under IPC 204
  1. The accused secreted or destroyed a document or electronic record, or obliterated or rendered illegible the whole or any part of it
  2. The accused might be lawfully compelled to produce that document or electronic record as evidence in a Court of Justice or in a proceeding lawfully held before a public servant
  3. The act was done with the intention of preventing the document or electronic record from being produced or used as evidence before that Court or public servant, or after the accused was lawfully summoned or required to produce it for that purpose
Under BNS 241
  1. The secreting, destruction, obliteration or rendering illegible of a document or electronic record, or of any part of it
  2. The document or electronic record is one that the accused might be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence
  3. The intention of preventing its production or use as evidence, or the act done after a lawful summons or requirement to produce it

What IPC 204 to BNS 241 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 204 IPC (now Section 241 BNS): an act done after the BNS came into force is charged under Section 241 BNS, where the longest imprisonment is three years and the fine may extend to five thousand rupees. An act done before that date stays under Section 204 IPC with its limit of two years.

FAQs: IPC 204 to BNS 241

What changed when Section 204 IPC became Section 241 BNS?▼

The title adds electronic record and the words Court of Justice become Court. The longest imprisonment rises from two years to three years, and the fine may extend to five thousand rupees where the IPC fixes no amount. The other words are the same.

Where does Section 204 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 241 BNS, in Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.

Does Section 204 IPC or Section 241 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 204 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 204 IPC. Section 241 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 ·