Section 166B IPC: Punishment for non-treatment of victim
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 166B IPC at a Glance
Section 166B IPC deals with punishment for non-treatment of victim. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 200 BNS.
Imprisonment for up to one year.
Section 166B IPC Bare Act Text
166B. 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 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.
Source: Section 166B, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 166B IPC in Simple Words
Section 166B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a person in charge of a hospital, public or private, who contravenes the provisions of Section 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The hospital may be run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person.
The punishment is imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both. The offence is bailable and not cognizable, and it is tried by a Magistrate of the first class.
Ingredients of Section 166B IPC
- The accused was in charge of a hospital
- The hospital was public or private, run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person
- The accused contravened the provisions of Section 357C CrPC
Punishment Under Section 166B IPC
Imprisonment for up to one year.
The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
A person in charge of a hospital who contravenes Section 357C CrPC faces imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 166B IPC
When Section 166B IPC Does Not Apply
- The accused was an ordinary staff member or bystander and was not in charge of the hospital.
- The hospital immediately provided free first-aid or medical treatment to the victim and informed the police as required by Section 357C CrPC.
- The patient seeking care was not a victim of any of the offences covered by Section 357C CrPC, so there was no contravention of that provision.
Section 166B IPC in the BNS
Section 166B IPC is now covered under Section 200 BNS.
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 detailed comparison (IPC 166B vs BNS 200) →FAQs on Section 166B IPC
What does Section 166B IPC provide?▼
It punishes a person in charge of a hospital, public or private, who contravenes the provisions of Section 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
What is the punishment under Section 166B IPC?▼
Imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both.
Who is punished under Section 166B IPC?▼
A person in charge of a hospital. The hospital may be public or private and may be run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person.
What must the accused have contravened under Section 166B IPC?▼
The provisions of Section 357C CrPC. That section requires every hospital, public or private, to give first-aid or medical treatment immediately and free of cost to victims of the acid attack and rape offences it lists, and to inform the police at once. Section 166B IPC punishes the contravention and does not itself set out the duty.
How does Section 166B IPC differ from Section 166A IPC?▼
Section 166A IPC punishes a public servant who disobeys certain directions of the law or fails to record certain information. Section 166B IPC punishes a person in charge of a hospital who contravenes Section 357C CrPC.
Is an offence under Section 166B IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is bailable but not cognizable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 166B IPC?▼
A Magistrate of the first class.
Can an offence under Section 166B IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 166B IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 200 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·