IPC 273→BNS 275

IPC 273 to BNS 275: Sale of noxious food or drink

Section 273 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 275 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 273 →View BNS Section 275 →

IPC 273 to BNS 275 at a Glance

Section 273 IPC (Sale of noxious food or drink) is now Section 275 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 273 to BNS 275?

Section 273 IPC is now Section 275 BNS. The statutory definition of the offence remains unchanged, but the maximum fine has been raised from one thousand rupees under Section 273 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 275 BNS. The maximum term of imprisonment of six months is unchanged.

IPC 273 vs BNS 275: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section273275
OffenceSale of noxious food or drinkSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.Imprisonment of either description for up to six months under Section 275 BNS.
FineFine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.Fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or both imprisonment and fine.
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 273 and BNS 275: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 273, IPC 1860

273. Sale of noxious food or drink.—Whoever sells, or offers or exposes for sale, as food or drink, any article which has been rendered or has become noxious, or is in a state unfit for food or drink, knowing or having reason to believe that the same is noxious as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 275, BNS 2023

Whoever sells, or offers or exposes for sale, as food or drink, any article which has been rendered or has become noxious, or is in a state unfit for food or drink, knowing or having reason to believe that the same is noxious as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 273 vs BNS 275

Under IPC 273
  1. Selling, or offering or exposing for sale, an article as food or drink
  2. The article has been rendered or has become noxious, or is in a state unfit for food or drink
  3. Knowing or having reason to believe that the article is noxious as food or drink
Under BNS 275
  1. Selling, offering, or exposing for sale as food or drink an article rendered noxious or unfit for food or drink
  2. Knowing, or having reason to believe, that the article offered or sold is noxious as food or drink

What IPC 273 to BNS 275 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 273 IPC (now Section 275 BNS): the maximum fine rises from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees under Section 275 BNS, while prosecution continues to require proof that the seller knew or had reason to believe the food was noxious.

FAQs: IPC 273 to BNS 275

What changed when Section 273 IPC became Section 275 BNS?▼

Section 275 BNS increases the fine cap from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees. The definition of the offence and the imprisonment term of up to six months remain identical to Section 273 IPC.

Where does Section 273 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 275 BNS, in Chapter XV, Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals.

Does Section 273 IPC or Section 275 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 273 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 273 IPC. Section 275 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 ·