IPC 489→BNS 346

IPC 489 to BNS 346: Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury

Section 489 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 346 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 489 →View BNS Section 346 →

IPC 489 to BNS 346 at a Glance

Section 489 IPC (Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury) is now Section 346 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 489 to BNS 346?

Section 489 IPC corresponds to Section 346 BNS, with identical wording and the same punishment.

IPC 489 vs BNS 346: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section489346
OffenceTampering with property mark with intent to cause injurySame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.Same
FineThe court may impose a fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The statute specifies no upper limit.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 489 and BNS 346: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 489, IPC 1860

489. Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury.—Whoever removes, destroys, defaces or adds to any property mark, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 346, BNS 2023

Whoever removes, destroys, defaces or adds to any property mark, intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 489 vs BNS 346

Under IPC 489
  1. A property mark denoted that movable property belonged to a particular person
  2. The accused removed, destroyed, defaced or added to that property mark
  3. The accused acted intending or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person
Under BNS 346
  1. Removing, destroying, defacing or adding to any property mark
  2. Intending or knowing it to be likely that injury may thereby be caused to any person

What IPC 489 to BNS 346 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 489 IPC (now Section 346 BNS): under Section 346 BNS, the offence and the punishment are unchanged, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 346 BNS and is framed on the same elements as before.

FAQs: IPC 489 to BNS 346

What changed regarding Section 489 IPC under the BNS?▼

The offence and the penalty are unchanged. Section 489 IPC is enacted as Section 346 BNS with the same punishment of imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both.

Where does Section 489 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 346 BNS, in Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.

Does Section 489 IPC or Section 346 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 489 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 489 IPC. Section 346 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 ·