IPC 225 to BNS 263: Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
Section 225 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 263 BNS (2023)
IPC 225 to BNS 263 at a Glance
Section 225 IPC (Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person) is now Section 263 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is cognizable. What changed is set out below.
What Changed From IPC 225 to BNS 263?
Section 225 IPC is now Section 263 BNS. The BNS arranges the five punishment tiers into lettered clauses a to e, and substitutes Court for Court of Justice in clause d, maintaining identical statutory elements and penalties.
IPC 225 vs BNS 263: Comparison Table
| Aspect | IPC 1860 (repealed) | BNS 2023 (in force) |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 225 | 263 |
| Offence | Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person | Same |
| Punishment | Imprisonment of either description for up to two years in the ordinary case; up to three years if the person was charged with an offence carrying life or ten years; up to seven years if charged with a capital offence or sentenced to life or ten years or more; and imprisonment for life or up to ten years if the person was under sentence of death. | Same |
| Fine | In the ordinary case the court may impose imprisonment, or fine, or both; in the aggravated tiers the offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment. | Same |
| Bail | Non-Bailable | Same |
| Cognizance | Cognizable | Same |
| Compoundable | Non-Compoundable | Same |
| Triable By | Court of Session if the person is under sentence of death; Any Magistrate in the ordinary case; Magistrate of the first class in other cases | Same |
IPC 225 and BNS 263: Bare Act Text Side by Side
IPC 1860 (repealed)
Section 225, IPC 1860
225. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person.—Whoever intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; or, if the person to be apprehended, or the person rescued or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term 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; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is liable under the sentence of a Court of Justice, or by virtue of a commutation of such a sentence, to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment, for a term of ten years, or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is under sentence of death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNS 2023 (in force)
Section 263, BNS 2023
Whoever, intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence,— (a) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; or (b) if the person to be apprehended, or the person rescued or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term 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; or (c) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or (d) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is liable under the sentence of a Court or by virtue of a commutation of such a sentence, to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term of ten years or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or (e) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is under sentence of death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Ingredients: IPC 225 vs BNS 263
Under IPC 225
- The apprehension of another person for an offence was lawful, or that person was lawfully detained in custody for an offence
- The accused intentionally offered resistance or illegal obstruction to such apprehension, or rescued or attempted to rescue that person from such custody
Under BNS 263
- Lawful apprehension of another person for an offence or lawful detention in custody for an offence
- Intentional resistance or illegal obstruction to that apprehension, or rescue or attempted rescue from custody
- Five-tier punishment scale based on whether the person is facing an ordinary charge, ten-year imprisonment, death penalty, or has received a sentence of life imprisonment or death
What IPC 225 to BNS 263 Means for Pending Cases
For Section 225 IPC (now Section 263 BNS): the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so the charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 263 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before.
FAQs: IPC 225 to BNS 263
What changed when Section 225 IPC became Section 263 BNS?▼
Section 263 BNS arranges the five penalty tiers into lettered clauses a through e and replaces Court of Justice with Court in clause d. The statutory elements, legal definitions, and punishments remain unchanged.
Where does Section 225 IPC sit in the BNS?▼
In Section 263 BNS, in Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.
Does Section 225 IPC or Section 263 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼
Section 225 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 225 IPC. Section 263 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 ·