IPC 76→BNS 14

IPC 76 to BNS 14: Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law

Section 76 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 14 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 76 →View BNS Section 14 →

IPC 76 to BNS 14 at a Glance

Section 76 IPC (Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law) is now Section 14 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 76 to BNS 14?

Section 14 BNS keeps the rule in the same words. The only change is in the second illustration, where an officer of a Court of Justice becomes an officer of a Court.

IPC 76 vs BNS 14: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section7614
OffenceAct done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by lawSame
PunishmentNone. Section 76 IPC creates no offence.None. Section 14 BNS creates no offence.
FineNone.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 76 and BNS 14: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 76, IPC 1860

76. Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.—Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith believes himself to be, bound by law to do it. Illustrations (a) A, a soldier, fires on a mob by the order of his superior officer, in conformity with the commands of the law. A has committed no offence. (b) A, an officer of a Court of Justice, being ordered by that Court to arrest Y, and after due enquiry, believing Z to be Y, arrests Z. A has committed no offence.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 14, BNS 2023

Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith believes himself to be, bound by law to do it. Illustrations. (a) A, a soldier, fires on a mob by the order of his superior officer, in conformity with the commands of the law. A has committed no offence. (b) A, an officer of a Court, being ordered by that Court to arrest Y, and, after due enquiry, believing Z to be Y, arrests Z. A has committed no offence.

Ingredients: IPC 76 vs BNS 14

Under IPC 76
  1. An act is done by a person
  2. The person is bound by law to do the act, or believes himself to be bound by law to do it
  3. The belief arises from a mistake of fact and not from a mistake of law
  4. The belief is held in good faith
Under BNS 14
  1. An act is done by a person
  2. The person is bound by law to do the act, or believes himself to be bound by law to do it
  3. The belief arises from a mistake of fact and not from a mistake of law
  4. The belief is held in good faith

What IPC 76 to BNS 14 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 76 IPC (now Section 14 BNS): nothing changes in the protection for a person bound by law to do an act. Section 14 BNS keeps the rule and both illustrations, and only shortens an officer of a Court of Justice to an officer of a Court in the second.

FAQs: IPC 76 to BNS 14

Does the BNS keep the exception in Section 76 IPC?▼

Yes. Section 14 BNS keeps it in the same words, with one change in the second illustration.

Where does Section 76 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 14 BNS, which has the same heading and opens Chapter III, General Exceptions.

Does Section 76 IPC or Section 14 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 76 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 76 IPC. Section 14 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 ·