IPC 326A→BNS 124(1)

IPC 326A to BNS 124(1): Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.

Section 326A IPC (1860) replaced by Section 124(1) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 326A →View BNS Section 124(1) →

IPC 326A to BNS 124(1) at a Glance

Section 326A IPC (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc) is now Section 124(1) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 326A to BNS 124(1)?

Section 326A IPC is succeeded by Section 124(1) BNS. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita consolidates acid offences into Section 124 BNS, placing causing grievous hurt by acid in sub-section 1. Section 124(1) BNS adds causing a person to be in a permanent vegetative state as an express result of the offence. The punishment remains unchanged, prescribing imprisonment of either description for not less than ten years extending up to imprisonment for life, and with fine. Both statutory provisos are retained, requiring that the fine be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the victim and that any fine imposed under the sub-section be paid directly to the victim.

IPC 326A vs BNS 124(1): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section326A124(1)
OffenceVoluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.Same
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine.Same
FineThe fine is mandatory, must be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim, and must be paid to the victim.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 326A and BNS 124(1): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 326A, IPC 1860

326A. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc..—Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine: Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim: Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 124(1), BNS 2023

(1) Whoever causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burns or maims or disfigures or disables, any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt or causes a person to be in a permanent vegetative state shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine: Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of the treatment of the victim: Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim.

Ingredients: IPC 326A vs BNS 124(1)

Under IPC 326A
  1. The accused threw acid on, administered acid to, or used any other means on another person
  2. The act caused permanent or partial damage or deformity to, or burned, maimed, disfigured, or disabled any part or parts of the body of that person, or caused grievous hurt
  3. The accused acted with the intention of causing such injury or hurt, or with the knowledge that he was likely to cause such injury or hurt
Under BNS 124(1)
  1. Throwing acid on, administering acid to, or using any other means on another person
  2. Causing permanent or partial damage or deformity, burns, maiming, disfigurement, disability, grievous hurt, or a permanent vegetative state
  3. Acting with the intention of causing such injury or hurt, or with the knowledge that such injury or hurt is likely to be caused

What IPC 326A to BNS 124(1) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 326A IPC (now Section 124(1) BNS): the core offence and punishment remain unchanged, while Section 124(1) BNS adds causing a permanent vegetative state as an express result. A prosecution for an act committed after the BNS came into force cites Section 124(1) BNS and requires proof of the same elements. The offence is non-bailable, triable by the Court of Session, and not compoundable.

FAQs: IPC 326A to BNS 124(1)

What changed from Section 326A IPC to Section 124(1) BNS?▼

Section 124(1) BNS adds causing a person to be in a permanent vegetative state to the list of prohibited results. The minimum ten years imprisonment extending to life imprisonment and the mandatory victim-oriented fine are preserved unchanged.

Where is Section 326A IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 124(1) BNS, in Chapter VI, Of Offences Affecting the Human Body, under the sub-heading Of hurt.

Does Section 326A IPC or Section 124(1) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 326A 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 326A IPC. Section 124(1) 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 ·