Section 250 BNS: Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 250 BNS at a Glance
Section 250 BNS deals with taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; it replaced Section 213 IPC on 1 July 2024.
The term follows the offence screened. If that offence is punishable with death, imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. If punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, imprisonment of either description for up to three years. If punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, imprisonment of the description provided for that offence for up to one-fourth of its longest term.
Section 250 BNS Bare Act Text
250. Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment
Whoever accepts or attempts to obtain, or agrees to accept, any gratification for himself or any other person, or any restitution of property to himself or any other person, in consideration of his concealing an offence or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment shall,—
(a) if the offence is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 250, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 250 BNS in Simple Words
Section 250 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) punishes a person who accepts, attempts to obtain, or agrees to accept any gratification or restitution of property, for himself or for any other person, in exchange for concealing an offence, screening any person from legal punishment for an offence, or not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment.
The punishment depends on the seriousness of the offence that is concealed or screened: up to seven years imprisonment (and liability to fine) if the offence is punishable with death; up to three years imprisonment (and liability to fine) if punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years; and up to one-fourth of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or fine, or both, if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years.
Ingredients of Section 250 BNS
- Accepting, attempting to obtain, or agreeing to accept gratification or restitution of property
- The consideration being concealment of an offence or screening an offender from punishment
- The consideration being forbearance to proceed against any person to bring him to legal punishment
- The act done by the recipient for himself or any other person
Punishment Under Section 250 BNS
The term follows the offence screened. If that offence is punishable with death, imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. If punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, imprisonment of either description for up to three years. If punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, imprisonment of the description provided for that offence for up to one-fourth of its longest term.
Where the offence screened is capital or punishable with imprisonment for life or up to ten years, the offender is also liable to fine in addition to imprisonment; for lesser offences, the court may impose fine alone or alongside imprisonment. The section specifies no maximum amount.
Taking gratification to screen an offender carries imprisonment for up to seven years and liability to fine if the offence is capital, up to three years and liability to fine if punishable with life or ten years, and up to one-fourth of the maximum term, or fine, or both for lesser offences.
Example of Section 250 BNS
When Section 250 BNS Does Not Apply
- No gratification or restitution of property was accepted, attempted, or agreed to be accepted
- The gratification or restitution was not in consideration of concealing an offence, screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or not proceeding against any person to bring him to legal punishment
Section 250 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 250 BNS replaces Section 213 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 213 IPC is now Section 250 BNS. The provision is reorganised into clause a, clause b and clause c, and the old subheadings are omitted. The substantive elements, tiered penalty structure and punishment terms remain unchanged.
View IPC Section 213 →FAQs on Section 250 BNS
What does Section 250 BNS punish?▼
Section 250 BNS punishes taking, trying to get, or agreeing to take any gratification or return of property in exchange for hiding an offence, shielding an offender from legal punishment, or not proceeding against a person to bring them to legal punishment. It applies whether the benefit is for yourself or for someone else.
What has to be proved under Section 250 BNS?▼
It must be shown that the person accepted, attempted to obtain, or agreed to accept some gratification or restitution of property. It must also be shown that this was in consideration of concealing an offence, screening a person from legal punishment, or not proceeding against that person.
Is Section 250 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 250 BNS?▼
The punishment depends on how serious the underlying offence is. If that offence is punishable with death, the punishment may extend to seven years and liability to fine; if it is punishable with life imprisonment or up to ten years, the punishment may extend to three years and liability to fine; if it is punishable with imprisonment not exceeding ten years, the punishment may extend to one-fourth of the longest term provided for that offence, or fine, or both.
How is Section 250 BNS different from simply helping an offender escape?▼
Section 250 BNS specifically deals with taking, seeking, or agreeing to take a benefit for hiding the offence or screening the offender. The payment or return of property in exchange for that act is the key feature of this section.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·