Section 150 BNS: Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 150 BNS at a Glance

Section 150 BNS deals with concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; it replaced Section 123 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 123 →

Section 150 BNS Bare Act Text

150. Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war

Whoever by any act, or by any illegal omission, conceals the existence of a design to wage war against the Government of India, intending by such concealment to facilitate, or knowing it to be likely that such concealment will facilitate, the waging of such war, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 150, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 150 BNS in Simple Words

Section 150 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with concealing the existence of a design to wage war against the Government of India, whether by any act or by any illegal omission. The law applies when the person conceals the plot intending by such concealment to facilitate, or knowing it to be likely that such concealment will facilitate, the waging of such war.

This section covers both active steps taken to hide a war plot, such as destroying evidence, and illegal omissions where a person legally bound to report the design stays silent to help it succeed. In practice, this section is used when the concealment is not accidental or innocent, but tied to facilitating a planned rebellion or war against the Government of India.

Ingredients of Section 150 BNS

  • Concealment of the existence of a design to wage war against the Government of India
  • Intention to facilitate the waging of the war, or knowledge that the concealment is likely to facilitate it

Punishment Under Section 150 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Concealing a design to wage war against the Government of India carries imprisonment of up to ten years, and liability to fine.

Example of Section 150 BNS

A clerk learns that a group plans an armed rising against the Government of India and meets them to plan it. He destroys the papers that show the plan, so that the police will not find it, and he knows that the rising is more likely to succeed if the plan stays hidden. He has concealed the design and is liable under Section 150 BNS, though he took no part in the rising itself.

When Section 150 BNS Does Not Apply

  • There was no design to wage war against the Government of India, only some other plan or offence
  • The accused did not conceal the design and made it known when asked
  • The accused neither intended the concealment to facilitate the war nor knew that it was likely to do so

Section 150 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 150 BNS replaces Section 123 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 123 IPC is now Section 150 BNS, with the same words, the same heading and the same punishment. Nothing in the offence has changed.

View IPC Section 123 →

FAQs on Section 150 BNS

What does Section 150 BNS punish?▼

It punishes concealing the existence of a design to wage war against the Government of India, by any act or illegal omission, when done with the intention of facilitating the war or with knowledge that the concealment is likely to facilitate it.

Under Section 150 BNS, does the accused need to know the full war plan?▼

The prosecution must show knowledge of the design in substance. The accused need not know every detail, but there must be awareness that the concealment was helping a plan to wage war. Without that knowledge, liability under this section is weak.

Is Section 150 BNS bailable?▼

No. It is treated as a serious offence and is non-bailable. Arrest and bail issues depend on the facts, evidence, and the court's discretion.

How is Section 150 BNS different from giving shelter to an ordinary offender?▼

Giving shelter to an offender is covered by separate harbouring provisions. Section 150 BNS specifically punishes concealing the existence of a design to wage war against the Government of India, by an act or illegal omission, intending or knowing it is likely to facilitate that war.

Have questions about Section 150 BNS?

Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.

Ask NyayGuru →

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 ·