IPC 214→BNS 251

IPC 214 to BNS 251: Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender

Section 214 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 251 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 214 →View BNS Section 251 →

IPC 214 to BNS 251 at a Glance

Section 214 IPC (Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender) is now Section 251 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 214 to BNS 251?

Section 214 IPC is now Section 251 BNS. The provision is reorganised into clause a, clause b and clause c, and the old subheadings are omitted. The Exception now refers to Sections 250 and 251 BNS instead of Sections 213 and 214 IPC. The penalty tiers and sentencing limits remain unchanged.

IPC 214 vs BNS 251: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section214251
OffenceOffering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offenderSame
PunishmentThe term follows the offence screened. If that offence is punishable with death, imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. If punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, imprisonment of either description for up to three years. If punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, imprisonment of the description provided for that offence for up to one-fourth of its longest term.Same
FineWhere the offence screened is capital or punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, the offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment; for lesser offences, the court may impose fine alone or alongside imprisonment. The section specifies no maximum amount.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 214 and BNS 251: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 214, IPC 1860

214. Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender.—Whoever gives or causes, or offers or agrees to give or cause, any gratification to any person, or restores or causes the restoration of any property to any person, in consideration of that person's concealing an offence, or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment, if a capital offence.—shall, if the offence 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, or with imprisonment.—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; and if the offence is punishable with imprisonment 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 imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Exception.—The provisions of sections 213 and 214 do not extend to any case in which the offence may lawfully be compounded.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 251, BNS 2023

Whoever gives or causes, or offers or agrees to give or cause, any gratification to any person, or restores or causes the restoration of any property to any person, in consideration of that person’s concealing an offence, or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment shall,— (a) if the offence 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 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 imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Exception.—The provisions of this section and section 250 do not extend to any case in which the offence may lawfully be compounded.

Ingredients: IPC 214 vs BNS 251

Under IPC 214
  1. Giving, causing, offering, or agreeing to give or cause gratification, or restoring or causing the restoration of property
  2. The transaction was made to any person
  3. The consideration was that person concealing an offence, screening an offender from legal punishment, or abstaining from proceeding against him
  4. The offence screened was not one that could lawfully be compounded
Under BNS 251
  1. Giving, offering, or agreeing to give gratification or restore property to any person
  2. The consideration being concealment of an offence or screening an offender from punishment
  3. The consideration being forbearance to proceed against any person for legal punishment
  4. The underlying offence not being one that may lawfully be compounded

What IPC 214 to BNS 251 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 214 IPC (now Section 251 BNS): the offence and the punishments are unchanged, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 251 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before.

FAQs: IPC 214 to BNS 251

What changed when Section 214 IPC became Section 251 BNS?▼

The section drops internal subheadings and organises the penalty tiers into clause a, clause b and clause c. The Exception replaces references to Section 213 IPC and Section 214 IPC with Section 250 BNS and this section. The substantive elements and punishment limits remain unchanged.

Where does Section 214 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 251 BNS, under Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.

Does Section 214 IPC or Section 251 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 214 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 214 IPC. Section 251 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 ·