IPC 52A→BNS 2(13)

IPC 52A to BNS 2(13): “Harbour”

Section 52A IPC (1860) replaced by Section 2(13) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 52A →View BNS Section 2(13) →

IPC 52A to BNS 2(13) at a Glance

Section 52A IPC (“Harbour”) is now Section 2(13) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 52A to BNS 2(13)?

Section 2(13) BNS keeps the definition but drops the opening exception. The IPC excepted Section 157 IPC and the spousal case under Section 130 IPC. The BNS clause begins harbour includes and has no such exception, and it says this clause where the IPC said this section. It is now clause 13 of the definitions section, in place of a section of its own.

IPC 52A vs BNS 2(13): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section52A2(13)
Offence“Harbour”Same
PunishmentNone. Section 52A IPC creates no offence.None. Section 2(13) BNS creates no offence.
FineNone.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 52A and BNS 2(13): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 52A, IPC 1860

52A. “Harbour”.—Except in section 157, and in section 130 in the case in which the harbour is given by the wife or husband of the person harboured, the word “harbour” includes the supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or the assisting a person by any means, whether of the same kind as those enumerated in this section or not, to evade apprehension.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 2(13), BNS 2023

(13) “harbour” includes supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance, or the assisting a person by any means, whether of the same kind as those enumerated in this clause or not, to evade apprehension;

Ingredients: IPC 52A vs BNS 2(13)

Under IPC 52A
  1. The word harbour
  2. Supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition or means of conveyance
  3. Or assisting a person by any means, whether of the same kind or not
  4. To evade apprehension
  5. Except in Section 157 IPC, and in Section 130 IPC where the harbour is given by the wife or husband of the person harboured
Under BNS 2(13)

Same ingredients apply

What IPC 52A to BNS 2(13) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 52A IPC (now Section 2(13) BNS): the list of things that count as harbouring is the same, and so is the purpose of evading apprehension. What is gone is the exception at the head of the definition, and the BNS clause states the meaning of harbour without it.

FAQs: IPC 52A to BNS 2(13)

Did the meaning of harbour change when Section 52A IPC became Section 2(13) BNS?▼

The list is the same. Section 2(13) BNS has no opening exception, where the IPC excepted Section 157 IPC and the spousal case under Section 130 IPC.

Where does Section 52A IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 2 BNS, the definitions section, as clause 13, headed harbour.

Does Section 52A IPC or Section 2(13) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 52A 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 52A IPC. Section 2(13) 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 ·