IPC 294A to BNS 297: Keeping lottery office
Section 294A IPC (1860) replaced by Section 297 BNS (2023)
IPC 294A to BNS 297 at a Glance
Section 294A IPC (Keeping lottery office) is now Section 297 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 294A to BNS 297?
Section 294A IPC corresponds to Section 297 BNS. The heading is unchanged. Section 297 BNS formally divides the section into sub-section 1 for keeping an office or place for drawing an unauthorised lottery, and sub-section 2 for publishing proposals relating to such lottery draws. For the publishing offence in sub-section 2, the maximum fine is increased from one thousand rupees under Section 294A IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 297 BNS, and the phrase forbear doing is updated to forbear from doing. The six-month imprisonment maximum and fine for keeping a lottery office in sub-section 1 remain unchanged.
IPC 294A vs BNS 297: Comparison Table
| Aspect | IPC 1860 (repealed) | BNS 2023 (in force) |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 294A | 297 |
| Offence | Keeping lottery office | Same |
| Punishment | For keeping a lottery office, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both. Publishing a lottery proposal carries no imprisonment. | Imprisonment of either description for a term up to six months for keeping an unauthorised lottery office under Section 297(1) BNS; no imprisonment is prescribed for publishing lottery proposals under Section 297(2) BNS. |
| Fine | For keeping a lottery office, fine with no fixed limit, alone or with imprisonment. For publishing a proposal relating to such a lottery, fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. | Fine for keeping a lottery office under Section 297(1) BNS; fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for publishing proposals under Section 297(2) BNS. |
| Bail | Bailable | Same |
| Cognizance | Non-Cognizable | Same |
| Compoundable | Non-Compoundable | Same |
| Triable By | Any Magistrate | Same |
IPC 294A and BNS 297: Bare Act Text Side by Side
Section 294A, IPC 1860
Section 297, BNS 2023
Ingredients: IPC 294A vs BNS 297
- Keeping any office or place for the purpose of drawing any lottery not being a State lottery or a lottery authorised by the State Government
- Publishing any proposal to pay a sum, deliver goods, or do or forbear doing anything for the benefit of any person on an event or contingency relative to the drawing of any ticket, lot, number or figure in such unauthorised lottery
- Keeping any office or place for the purpose of drawing a lottery that is neither a State lottery nor a lottery authorised by the State Government, under sub-section 1
- Publishing any proposal to pay any sum, deliver any goods, or do or forbear from doing anything for the benefit of any person, on an event or contingency relative to the drawing in such a lottery, under sub-section 2
What IPC 294A to BNS 297 Means for Pending Cases
FAQs: IPC 294A to BNS 297
What changed when Section 294A IPC became Section 297 BNS?▼
Section 297 BNS structures the section into sub-section 1 and sub-section 2. The maximum fine for publishing proposals relating to an unauthorised lottery increases from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees. The imprisonment term up to six months for keeping a lottery office remains unchanged.
Where does Section 294A IPC sit in the BNS?▼
In Section 297 BNS, in Chapter XV, Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals.
Does Section 294A IPC or Section 297 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼
Section 294A 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 294A IPC. Section 297 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 ·