IPC 72→BNS 10

IPC 72 to BNS 10: Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which

Section 72 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 10 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 72 →View BNS Section 10 →

IPC 72 to BNS 10 at a Glance

Section 72 IPC (Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which) is now Section 10 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 72 to BNS 10?

Section 10 BNS keeps the rule in the same words.

IPC 72 vs BNS 10: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section7210
OffencePunishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of whichSame
PunishmentNone. Section 72 IPC creates no offence.None. Section 10 BNS creates no offence.
FineNone.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 72 and BNS 10: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 72, IPC 1860

72. Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which.—In all cases in which judgment is given that a person is guilty of one of several offences specified in the judgment, but that it is doubtful of which of these offences he is guilty, the offender shall be punished for the offence for which the lowest punishment is provided if the same punishment is not provided for all.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 10, BNS 2023

In all cases in which judgment is given that a person is guilty of one of several offences specified in the judgment, but that it is doubtful of which of these offences he is guilty, the offender shall be punished for the offence for which the lowest punishment is provided if the same punishment is not provided for all.

Ingredients: IPC 72 vs BNS 10

Under IPC 72
  1. Judgment is given that a person is guilty of one of several offences specified in the judgment
  2. The judgment records that it is doubtful of which of those offences the person is guilty
  3. The same punishment is not provided for all of the offences
  4. The offender is punished for the offence for which the lowest punishment is provided
Under BNS 10
  1. Judgment is given that a person is guilty of one of several offences specified in the judgment
  2. The judgment records that it is doubtful of which of those offences the person is guilty
  3. The same punishment is not provided for all of the offences
  4. The offender is punished for the offence for which the lowest punishment is provided

What IPC 72 to BNS 10 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 72 IPC (now Section 10 BNS): nothing changes in how a doubtful finding among several offences is punished. Section 10 BNS keeps the rule that the offender is punished for the offence with the lowest punishment where the same punishment is not provided for all.

FAQs: IPC 72 to BNS 10

Does the BNS keep the rule in Section 72 IPC?▼

Yes. Section 10 BNS says the same in the same words.

Where does Section 72 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 10 BNS, headed Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, judgment stating that it is doubtful of which.

Does Section 72 IPC or Section 10 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 72 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 72 IPC. Section 10 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 ·