Section 133 BNS: Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 133 BNS at a Glance

Section 133 BNS deals with assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 355 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years under both codes.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 355 →

Section 133 BNS Bare Act Text

133. Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation

Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person, intending thereby to dishonour that person, otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 133, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 133 BNS in Simple Words

Section 133 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with using assault or criminal force in a way meant to dishonour a person, but not in a situation of grave provocation. The law is aimed at conduct that is intended to insult, humiliate, or degrade someone through physical interference. It may arise in public disputes, workplace clashes, family conflicts, or incidents where a person is physically handled to shame them. To apply this section, the prosecution must show more than a simple scuffle.

There must be assault or criminal force, and the act must be done with the intention of dishonouring the victim. If the act happened because of sudden grave provocation, this section does not apply in the same way. In practice, this provision is used where physical conduct is used as a tool of insult, and it can support both criminal complaint strategy and defence arguments depending on the facts.

Ingredients of Section 133 BNS

  • Assaulting or using criminal force to any person
  • Intending thereby to dishonour that person
  • Acting otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person under Section 133 BNS

Punishment Under Section 133 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years under both codes.

Fine

Fine, instead of or in addition to imprisonment under both codes.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person carries imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both. It is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable without the permission of the court by the person assaulted or to whom criminal force is used.

Example of Section 133 BNS

Outside an administrative office in Gwalior, Suresh confronted Vinod during an open gathering. Intending to humiliate and dishonour Vinod before his professional colleagues, Suresh slapped him across the face and knocked off his headgear. Vinod had offered no grave or sudden provocation. Suresh used criminal force with the specific intention of dishonouring Vinod, committing an offence punishable under Section 133 BNS.

When Section 133 BNS Does Not Apply

  • No assault was committed and no criminal force was used against the person
  • The force or assault was used without an intention to dishonour the person
  • The act was committed upon grave and sudden provocation given by that person, which falls instead under Section 136 BNS

Section 133 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 133 BNS replaces Section 355 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 355 IPC is succeeded by Section 133 BNS. The statutory text, the essential ingredients including the intention to dishonour, the exclusion of grave and sudden provocation, and the punishment of imprisonment of either description up to two years, or fine, or both, remain identical in substance.

View IPC Section 355 →

FAQs on Section 133 BNS

What kind of act can fall under Section 133 BNS?▼

Physical acts meant to insult or humiliate another person can fall under this section. A mere verbal insult is usually not enough unless it is accompanied by assault or criminal force. The intention behind the act matters a great deal.

Is a fight in anger covered by Section 133 BNS?▼

Not every fight will attract this section. The prosecution must show that the force was used to dishonour the other person, and not just as part of a spontaneous quarrel. If there was grave and sudden provocation, that can change the legal position.

Is the offence under Section 133 BNS bailable?▼

Yes, it is generally bailable. That means the accused can usually get bail as a matter of right, subject to the court's procedure and conditions. It is also compoundable, so the parties may be able to settle the matter with legal permission.

Under Section 133 BNS, what should a victim do if this happens?▼

A victim should preserve any video, witness details, medical papers, and messages linked to the incident. A prompt complaint helps establish the facts clearly. The exact wording of the complaint should focus on the physical act and the insulting intention behind it.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·