Section 226 BNS: Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 226 BNS at a Glance

Section 226 BNS deals with attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year.

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

Section 226 BNS Bare Act Text

226. Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power

Whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service.

Source: Section 226, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 226 BNS in Simple Words

Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) makes it an offence to attempt to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty. It is aimed at the use of a suicide attempt as a means of pressure on an official, for example to force a decision or to stop an official act from being carried out.

The offence is punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service. The section does not fix an amount of fine.

The intent is the core of the offence. An attempt to commit suicide without the intent to compel or restrain a public servant does not fall within this section, and the BNS has no general offence of attempting suicide like the old Section 309 IPC.

Ingredients of Section 226 BNS

  • The accused attempts to commit suicide
  • The attempt is made with the intent to compel or restrain a public servant
  • The intent relates to the public servant discharging his official duty

Punishment Under Section 226 BNS

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year.

Fine

Fine may be imposed instead of, or together with, imprisonment. Community service is a further alternative.

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

Whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty is punishable with simple imprisonment for up to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service.

Example of Section 226 BNS

A municipal team arrives in Kanpur with an order to remove Suresh's shop, which stands on a public road. Suresh pours kerosene over himself and tries to set himself alight, shouting that the officials must stop the removal. Constable Meena pulls him away before he is hurt. This falls within the section because Suresh attempted to commit suicide with the intent to restrain public servants from discharging their official duty.

When Section 226 BNS Does Not Apply

  • A person attempts suicide out of personal distress, with no intent to compel or restrain any public servant
  • The person whose action is sought to be forced or stopped is not a public servant
  • The public servant is not discharging any official duty, for example a dispute about a private matter
  • There is only a threat to commit suicide, with no attempt actually made

Previous Law (IPC)

Section 226 BNS is a new provision with no equivalent in the Indian Penal Code. Section 309 IPC punished every attempt to commit suicide; the BNS does not carry that general offence forward. Section 226 punishes an attempt to commit suicide only when it is made with the intent to compel or restrain a public servant from discharging his official duty.

FAQs on Section 226 BNS

Under Section 226 BNS, is attempting suicide still a crime?▼

Not in general. Section 309 IPC punished every attempt to commit suicide, but the BNS has no such general offence. Section 226 BNS covers only an attempt made with the intent to compel or restrain a public servant from discharging his official duty.

What has to be proved under Section 226 BNS?▼

It must be shown that the accused attempted to commit suicide and that the attempt was made with the intent to compel or restrain a public servant from discharging his official duty. Without that intent, the section does not apply.

What is the punishment under Section 226 BNS?▼

Simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both, or community service. The court decides which of these to impose on the facts.

Is an offence under Section 226 BNS bailable?▼

Yes. The First Schedule of the BNSS classifies it as non-cognizable and bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

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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: 15 Oct 2026 ·