IPC 508→BNS 354

IPC 508 to BNS 354: Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of the Divine displeasure

Section 508 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 354 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 508 →View BNS Section 354 →

IPC 508 to BNS 354 at a Glance

Section 508 IPC (Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of the Divine displeasure) is now Section 354 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 508 to BNS 354?

Section 508 IPC corresponds to Section 354 BNS. The heading omits the word the before Divine displeasure, and the first illustration updates the spelling of dhurna to dharna. The statutory text and punishment remain unchanged.

IPC 508 vs BNS 354: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section508354
OffenceAct caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of the Divine displeasureSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for up to one year.Same
FineFine in place of imprisonment, or both. The section sets no limit.Same
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableCompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 508 and BNS 354: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 508, IPC 1860

508. Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of the Divine displeasure.—Whoever voluntarily causes or attempts to cause any person to do anything which that person is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do anything which he is legally entitled to do, by inducing or attempting to induce that person to believe that he or any person in whom he is interested will become or will be rendered by some act of the offender an object of Divine displeasure if he does not do the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to do, or if he does the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to omit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. Illustrations (a) A sits dhurna at Z's door with the intention of causing it to be believed that, by so sitting, he renders Z an object of Divine displeasure. A has committed the offence defined in this section. (b) A threatens Z that, unless Z performs a certain act, A will kill one of A's own children, under such circumstances that the killing would be believed to render Z an object of Divine displeasure. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 354, BNS 2023

Whoever voluntarily causes or attempts to cause any person to do anything which that person is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do anything which he is legally entitled to do, by inducing or attempting to induce that person to believe that he or any person in whom he is interested will become or will be rendered by some act of the offender an object of Divine displeasure if he does not do the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to do, or if he does the thing which it is the object of the offender to cause him to omit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both. Illustrations. (a) A sits dharna at Z’s door with the intention of causing it to be believed that, by so sitting, he renders Z an object of Divine displeasure. A has committed the offence defined in this section. (b) A threatens Z that, unless Z performs a certain act, A will kill one of A’s own children, under such circumstances that the killing would be believed to render Z an object of Divine displeasure. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

Ingredients: IPC 508 vs BNS 354

Under IPC 508
  1. Voluntarily causing or attempting to cause a person to do something he is not legally bound to do, or omit something he is legally entitled to do
  2. Inducing or attempting to induce that person to believe that he or anyone in whom he is interested will be rendered an object of Divine displeasure by some act of the offender
Under BNS 354
  1. Causing or attempting to cause a person to do what he is not legally bound to do, or to omit what he is legally entitled to do
  2. Inducing fear that the person or someone in whom he is interested will become an object of Divine displeasure through an act of the offender

What IPC 508 to BNS 354 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 508 IPC (now Section 354 BNS): under Section 354 BNS, causing a person to act or refrain from acting by inducing a belief in Divine displeasure remains punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or fine, or both.

FAQs: IPC 508 to BNS 354

What changed when Section 508 IPC became Section 354 BNS?▼

Section 508 IPC is renumbered as Section 354 BNS. The heading drops the word the before Divine displeasure, and the archaic spelling dhurna is updated to dharna, with punishments unchanged.

Where does Section 508 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 354 BNS, in Chapter XIX, Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, etc.

Does Section 508 IPC or Section 354 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 508 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 508 IPC. Section 354 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 ·