Section 200 BNS: Punishment for non-treatment of victim

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 200 BNS at a Glance

Section 200 BNS deals with punishment for non-treatment of victim. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; it replaced Section 166B IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment for up to one year.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 166B →

Section 200 BNS Bare Act Text

200. Punishment for non-treatment of victim

Whoever, being in charge of a hospital, public or private, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person, contravenes the provisions of section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 200, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 200 BNS in Simple Words

Section 200 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with the duty of a hospital, public or private, to provide immediate medical treatment to a victim as required under Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The law ensures that a victim in need is not turned away because of paperwork, payment demands, or police formalities.

This provision applies to the person in charge of a hospital, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies, or any other person. If the person in charge contravenes Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, they face criminal liability.

In practical terms, this section is a safeguard for victims at a vulnerable stage and reinforces the principle that medical care must come first.

Ingredients of Section 200 BNS

  • A person in charge of a hospital, public or private
  • A hospital run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person
  • Contravention of the provisions of Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Punishment Under Section 200 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment for up to one year.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

A person in charge of a hospital who contravenes Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 faces imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 200 BNS

A man is in charge of a private hospital. A victim of an acid attack is brought in, and he refuses free first-aid until a deposit is paid, contrary to Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. He is liable under Section 200 BNS, and it makes no difference that the hospital is private and not run by the Government.

When Section 200 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The accused was not in charge of the hospital
  • The act complained of is not a contravention of the provisions of Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 200 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 200 BNS replaces Section 166B IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 166B IPC is now Section 200 BNS, with the same title and the same punishment. The one change is the provision it refers to. The IPC section refers to Section 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 200 BNS refers to Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

View IPC Section 166B →

FAQs on Section 200 BNS

Does Section 200 BNS apply to private hospitals too?▼

Yes. The duty is not limited to government hospitals. It applies to any public or private hospital, whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies, or any other person.

Under Section 200 BNS, can a hospital refuse treatment if police have not arrived?▼

No, not when immediate treatment is required under Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Medical care cannot be made dependent on police arrival when the victim needs urgent attention, and the hospital must inform the police as required by law.

Who can be held liable under Section 200 BNS?▼

Liability under this section falls on the person in charge of the hospital, whether public or private, and whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies, or any other person.

What is the practical purpose of Section 200 BNS?▼

Its purpose is to stop delay in emergency medical care for victims covered by Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Because the first few minutes matter most, the law makes contravention of that duty a punishable offence.

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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 ·