IPC 350→BNS 129

IPC 350 to BNS 129: Criminal force

Section 350 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 129 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 350 →View BNS Section 129 →

IPC 350 to BNS 129 at a Glance

Section 350 IPC (Criminal force) is now Section 129 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Only the section number changed.

What Changed From IPC 350 to BNS 129?

Section 350 IPC corresponds to Section 129 BNS. The definition of criminal force, the requisite mental elements, and all eight statutory Illustrations are reproduced in Section 129 BNS without substantive change.

IPC 350 vs BNS 129: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section350129
OffenceCriminal forceSame
PunishmentNone. Section 350 IPC is a definition and prescribes no sentence of imprisonment. The use of criminal force is punished under Section 352 IPC, or under Section 353 to Section 358 IPC depending on the circumstances.None. Section 129 BNS is a definition and prescribes no sentence of imprisonment. The use of criminal force is punished under Section 131 to Section 136 BNS depending on the circumstances.
FineNone under Section 350 IPC. Fine is provided under the punishing provisions in Section 352 IPC and Section 353 to Section 358 IPC.None under Section 129 BNS. Fine is provided under the punishing provisions in Section 131 to Section 136 BNS.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 350 and BNS 129: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 350, IPC 1860

350. Criminal force.—Whoever intentionally uses force to any person, without that person's consent, in order to the committing of any offence, or intending by the use of such force to cause, or knowing it to be likely that by the use of such force he will cause injury, fear or annoyance to the person to whom the force is used, is said to use criminal force to that other. Illustrations (a) Z is sitting in a moored boat on a river. A unfastens the moorings, and thus intentionally causes the boat to drift down the stream. Here A intentionally causes motion to Z, and he does this by disposing substances in such a manner that the motion is produced without any other action on any person's part. A has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done so without Z's consent, in order to the committing of any offence, or intending or knowing it to be likely that this use of force will cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, A has used criminal force to Z. (b) Z is riding in a chariot. A lashes Z's horses, and thereby causes them to quicken their pace. Here A has caused change of motion to Z by inducing the animals to change their motion. A has therefore used force to Z; and if A has done this without Z's consent, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy Z, A has used criminal force to Z. (c) Z is riding in a palanquin. A, intending to rob Z, seizes the pole and stops the palanquin. Here A has caused cessation of motion to Z, and he has done this by his own bodily power. A has therefore used force to Z; and as A has acted thus intentionally, without Z's consent, in order to the commission of an offence. A has used criminal force to Z. (d) A intentionally pushes against Z in the street. Here A has by his own bodily power moved his own person so as to bring it into contact with Z. He has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done so without Z's consent, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy Z, he has used criminal force to Z. (e) A throws a stone, intending or knowing it to be likely that the stone will be thus brought into contact with Z, or with Z's clothes, or with something carried by Z, or that it will strike water and dash up the water against Z's clothes or something carried by Z. Here, if the throwing of the stone produce the effect of causing any substance to come into contact with Z, or Z's clothes, A has used force to Z, and if he did so without Z's consent, intending thereby to injure, frighten or annoy Z, he has used criminal force to Z. (f) A intentionally pulls up a woman's veil. Here A intentionally uses force to her, and if he does so without her consent intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy her, he has used criminal force to her. (g) Z is bathing. A pours into the bath water which he knows to be boiling. Here A intentionally by his own bodily power causes such motion in the boiling water as brings that water into contact with Z, or with other water so situated that such contact must affect Z's sense of feeling; A has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done this without Z's consent intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, A has used criminal force. (h) A incites a dog to spring upon Z, without Z's consent. Here, if A intends to cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, he uses criminal force to Z.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 129, BNS 2023

Whoever intentionally uses force to any person, without that person’s consent, in order to the committing of any offence, or intending by the use of such force to cause, or knowing it to be likely that by the use of such force he will cause injury, fear or annoyance to the person to whom the force is used, is said to use criminal force to that other. Illustrations. (a) Z is sitting in a moored boat on a river. A unfastens the moorings, and thus intentionally causes the boat to drift down the stream. Here A intentionally causes motion to Z, and he does this by disposing substances in such a manner that the motion is produced without any other action on any person’s part. A has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done so without Z’s consent, in order to the committing of any offence, or intending or knowing it to be likely that this use of force will cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, A has used criminal force to Z. (b) Z is riding in a chariot. A lashes Z’s horses, and thereby causes them to quicken their pace. Here A has caused change of motion to Z by inducing the animals to change their motion. A has therefore used force to Z; and if A has done this without Z’s consent, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy Z, A has used criminal force to Z. (c) Z is riding in a palanquin. A, intending to rob Z, seizes the pole and stops the palanquin. Here A has caused cessation of motion to Z, and he has done this by his own bodily power. A has therefore used force to Z; and as A has acted thus intentionally, without Z’s consent, in order to the commission of an offence. A has used criminal force to Z. (d) A intentionally pushes against Z in the street. Here A has by his own bodily power moved his own person so as to bring it into contact with Z. He has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done so without Z’s consent, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy Z, he has used criminal force to Z. (e) A throws a stone, intending or knowing it to be likely that the stone will be thus brought into contact with Z, or with Z’s clothes, or with something carried by Z, or that it will strike water and dash up the water against Z’s clothes or something carried by Z. Here, if the throwing of the stone produce the effect of causing any substance to come into contact with Z, or Z’s clothes, A has used force to Z, and if he did so without Z’s consent, intending thereby to injure, frighten or annoy Z, he has used criminal force to Z. (f) A intentionally pulls up a woman’s veil. Here A intentionally uses force to her, and if he does so without her consent intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby injure, frighten or annoy her, he has used criminal force to her. (g) Z is bathing. A pours into the bath water which he knows to be boiling. Here A intentionally by his own bodily power causes such motion in the boiling water as brings that water into contact with Z, or with other water so situated that such contact must affect Z’s sense of feeling; A has therefore intentionally used force to Z; and if he has done this without Z’s consent intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, A has used criminal force. (h) A incites a dog to spring upon Z, without Z’s consent. Here, if A intends to cause injury, fear or annoyance to Z, he uses criminal force to Z.

Ingredients: IPC 350 vs BNS 129

Under IPC 350
  1. The intentional use of force to any person as force is defined under Section 349 IPC
  2. The force was used without that person's consent
  3. The force was used in order to the committing of any offence, or intending by the use of such force to cause, or knowing it to be likely that by the use of such force he will cause injury, fear or annoyance to the person to whom the force is used
Under BNS 129
  1. Intentional use of force to any person without that person's consent
  2. Using such force in order to the committing of any offence, or intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that it will cause injury, fear or annoyance under Section 129 BNS

What IPC 350 to BNS 129 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 350 IPC (now Section 129 BNS): under Section 129 BNS, the definition of criminal force is unchanged. A charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 129 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before.

FAQs: IPC 350 to BNS 129

What changed from Section 350 IPC to Section 129 BNS?▼

The substantive definition of criminal force is unchanged. Section 129 BNS reproduces the definition and all eight Illustrations of Section 350 IPC in substance.

Where is Section 350 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 350 IPC is codified as Section 129 BNS, in Chapter VI, Of Offences Affecting the Human Body, under the sub-heading Of criminal force and assault.

Does Section 350 IPC or Section 129 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 350 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 350 IPC. Section 129 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 ·