Section 243 BNS: Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 243 BNS at a Glance
Section 243 BNS deals with fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 206 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment of either description for up to three years.
Section 243 BNS Bare Act Text
243. Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
Whoever fraudulently removes, conceals, transfers or delivers to any person any property or any interest therein, intending thereby to prevent that property or interest therein from being taken as a forfeiture or in satisfaction of a fine, under a sentence which has been pronounced, or which he knows to be likely to be pronounced, by a Court or other competent authority, or from being taken in execution of a decree or order which has been made, or which he knows to be likely to be made by a Court in a civil suit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Source: Section 243, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 243 BNS in Simple Words
Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with fraudulently moving, hiding, or transferring property so that it cannot be lawfully seized. It applies when a person removes, conceals, transfers, or delivers any property or interest in property intending to prevent it from being taken as a forfeiture or in satisfaction of a fine under a sentence pronounced, or known to be likely to be pronounced, by a Court or other competent authority.
It also applies when this is done to keep the property from being taken in execution of a decree or order made, or known to be likely to be made, by a Court in a civil suit. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both.
In practice, this section stops people from defeating court sentences, fines, forfeitures, and civil decrees by dishonestly hiding or transferring their assets.
Ingredients of Section 243 BNS
- Fraudulent removal, concealment, transfer or delivery of property or an interest in property
- The intention to prevent that property from being taken as a forfeiture, in satisfaction of a fine, or in execution of a decree or order
- A sentence, decree or order pronounced, made, or known to be likely to be pronounced or made by a Court or other competent authority
Punishment Under Section 243 BNS
Imprisonment of either description for up to three years.
Fine up to five thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent seizure as forfeited or in execution carries imprisonment for up to three years, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both.
Example of Section 243 BNS
When Section 243 BNS Does Not Apply
- The accused did not fraudulently remove, conceal, transfer or deliver the property or any interest in it
- There was no intention to prevent the property or interest from being taken as a forfeiture, in satisfaction of a fine, or in execution of a decree or order
- No sentence had been pronounced and no decree or order made, and the accused did not know that one was likely to be pronounced or made
Section 243 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 243 BNS replaces Section 206 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 206 IPC is now Section 243 BNS. The words Court of Justice become Court, the longest imprisonment rises from two years to three years, and the fine may now extend to five thousand rupees where the IPC fixes no amount.
View IPC Section 206 →FAQs on Section 243 BNS
What does Section 243 of the BNS punish?▼
Section 243 BNS punishes fraudulently removing, concealing, transferring, or delivering property to stop it from being seized. The property must be intended to be kept away from forfeiture, payment of a fine under a sentence pronounced or likely to be pronounced, or execution of a civil court decree or order made or likely to be made.
What has to be proved for an offence under Section 243 BNS?▼
It must be shown that the person fraudulently removed, concealed, transferred, or delivered property or an interest in it. It must also be shown that this was done with the intention of preventing that property from being taken by lawful process, such as forfeiture, recovery of fine, or execution of a civil decree or order.
Is Section 243 BNS bailable?▼
Yes. This is a bailable offence, which means bail can be claimed as a matter of right. The accused is normally released on furnishing bail, subject to the usual conditions the court or police may impose.
What is the punishment under Section 243 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
The punishment under Section 243 BNS may extend to imprisonment of either description for three years, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. The exact punishment depends on the facts found in the case.
If I am accused under Section 243 BNS, or if I want to complain, what should I do?▼
If you are accused, collect all papers about the property, court case, decree, order, or sentence, because the allegation depends on intention and the legal process involved. If you want to complain, keep records showing the property was removed, concealed, transferred, or delivered to defeat forfeiture, fine recovery, or execution, and take them to the police or a lawyer.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·