IPC 66→BNS 8(4)

IPC 66 to BNS 8(4): Description of imprisonment for non-payment of fine

Section 66 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 8(4) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 66 →View BNS Section 8(4) →

IPC 66 to BNS 8(4) at a Glance

Section 66 IPC (Description of imprisonment for non-payment of fine) is now Section 8(4) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 66 to BNS 8(4)?

Section 8(4) BNS keeps the rule and extends it to default of community service as well as default of payment of a fine. It is the fourth of the numbered parts of Section 8 BNS, which also takes in Sections 63 to 65 and 67 to 70 IPC.

IPC 66 vs BNS 8(4): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section668(4)
OffenceDescription of imprisonment for non-payment of fineSame
PunishmentNone. Section 66 IPC creates no offence.None. Section 8(4) BNS creates no offence.
FineNone.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 66 and BNS 8(4): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 66, IPC 1860

66. Description of imprisonment for non-payment of fine.—The imprisonment which the Court imposes in default of payment of a fine may be of any description to which the offender might have been sentenced for the offence.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 8(4), BNS 2023

(4) The imprisonment which the Court imposes in default of payment of a fine or in default of community service may be of any description to which the offender might have been sentenced for the offence.

Ingredients: IPC 66 vs BNS 8(4)

Under IPC 66
  1. The Court imposes imprisonment in default of payment of a fine
  2. The offender might have been sentenced to imprisonment of some description for the offence
  3. The default imprisonment may be of any of those descriptions
Under BNS 8(4)

Same ingredients apply

What IPC 66 to BNS 8(4) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 66 IPC (now Section 8(4) BNS): the rule now reaches a second kind of default. Under Section 8(4) BNS the imprisonment the Court imposes may be of any description to which the offender might have been sentenced for the offence, whether the default is in payment of a fine or in community service.

FAQs: IPC 66 to BNS 8(4)

Does the BNS keep the rule in Section 66 IPC?▼

Yes. Section 8(4) BNS keeps it and adds default of community service to default of payment of a fine.

Where does Section 66 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 8(4) BNS, the fourth part of Section 8 BNS, which is headed Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc.

Does Section 66 IPC or Section 8(4) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 66 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 66 IPC. Section 8(4) 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 ·