IPC 217→BNS 255

IPC 217 to BNS 255: Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture

Section 217 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 255 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 217 →View BNS Section 255 →

IPC 217 to BNS 255 at a Glance

Section 217 IPC (Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture) is now Section 255 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 217 to BNS 255?

Section 217 IPC is now Section 255 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

IPC 217 vs BNS 255: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section217255
OffencePublic servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeitureSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend 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 217 and BNS 255: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 217, IPC 1860

217. Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.—Whoever, being a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, 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 255, BNS 2023

Whoever, being a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, 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 217 vs BNS 255

Under IPC 217
  1. The accused was a public servant
  2. There was a direction of the law as to the way in which he was to conduct himself as such public servant
  3. The accused knowingly disobeyed that direction of the law
  4. The accused intended thereby to save, or knew it to be likely that he would thereby save, any person from legal punishment or subject him to less punishment, or intended to save or knew that he was likely thereby to save any property from forfeiture or charge to which it was liable by law
Under BNS 255
  1. Status of the accused as a public servant
  2. Direction of the law governing conduct as such public servant
  3. Knowing disobedience of that direction by the public servant
  4. Intention or knowledge of likelihood that such disobedience will save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture

What IPC 217 to BNS 255 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 217 IPC (now Section 255 BNS): the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 255 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before.

FAQs: IPC 217 to BNS 255

What changed when Section 217 IPC became Section 255 BNS?▼

Only the number. Section 255 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 217 IPC, and the punishment remains imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both.

Where does Section 217 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 255 BNS, in Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.

Does Section 217 IPC or Section 255 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 217 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 217 IPC. Section 255 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 ·