Section 171B IPC: Bribery
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 171B IPC at a Glance
Section 171B IPC deals with bribery. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 170 BNS.
None of its own. Section 171B IPC only defines bribery. The punishment is set by Section 171E IPC.
Section 171B IPC Bare Act Text
171B. Bribery
(1) Whoever—
(i) gives a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right or of rewarding any person for having exercised any such right; or
(ii) accepts either for himself or for any other person any gratification as a reward for exercising any such right or for inducing or attempting to induce any other person to exercise any such right, commits the offence of bribery:
Provided that a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action shall not be an offence under this section.
(2) A person who offers, or agrees to give, or offers or attempts to procure, a gratification shall be deemed to give a gratification.
(3) A person who obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain a gratification shall be deemed to accept a gratification, and a person who accepts a gratification as a motive for doing what he does not intend to do, or as a reward for doing what he has not done, shall be deemed to have accepted the gratification as a reward.
Source: Section 171B, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 171B IPC in Simple Words
Section 171B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines bribery in relation to an electoral right. A person commits bribery who gives a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right, or of rewarding any person for having exercised any such right. A person also commits bribery who accepts a gratification for himself or for any other person as a reward for exercising any such right, or for inducing or attempting to induce any other person to exercise it.
A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action is not an offence under the section. Offering, agreeing to give, or offering or attempting to procure a gratification is deemed to be giving it. Obtaining, agreeing to accept or attempting to obtain a gratification is deemed to be accepting it.
The section sets no punishment of its own. The punishment for bribery is in Section 171E IPC.
Ingredients of Section 171B IPC
- The accused gave a gratification to a person with the object of inducing that person or any other person to exercise an electoral right, or of rewarding a person for having exercised it
- Or the accused accepted a gratification, for himself or for any other person, as a reward for exercising an electoral right or for inducing or attempting to induce another person to exercise it
- An offer, an agreement to give, or an offer or attempt to procure a gratification is deemed to be giving it
- Obtaining, agreeing to accept or attempting to obtain a gratification is deemed to be accepting it
- A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action is not an offence under the section
Punishment Under Section 171B IPC
None of its own. Section 171B IPC only defines bribery. The punishment is set by Section 171E IPC.
None of its own. Any fine is set by Section 171E IPC.
Section 171B IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure. It carries no punishment, no bail position and no trial court of its own. Bribery is punished under Section 171E IPC.
Example of Section 171B IPC
When Section 171B IPC Does Not Apply
- A candidate or party only announces a public policy or makes a promise of public action to voters.
- No gratification is given, offered, agreed to be given, accepted, obtained, or sought to be obtained or procured by any person.
- A gift or payment is made for a private personal reason and not to induce or reward the exercise of any electoral right.
- The issue is the sentence to be imposed for electoral bribery, which is governed by Section 171E IPC rather than Section 171B IPC.
Section 171B IPC in the BNS
Section 171B IPC is now covered under Section 170 BNS.
Section 171B IPC is now Section 170 BNS, with the same heading and the same words, including the proviso and the two deeming rules.
View detailed comparison (IPC 171B vs BNS 170) →FAQs on Section 171B IPC
What does Section 171B IPC provide?▼
It defines bribery in relation to an electoral right. A person commits it by giving a gratification to induce or reward the exercise of an electoral right, or by accepting one as a reward for exercising such a right or for inducing another person to exercise it.
Is a promise of public action bribery under Section 171B IPC?▼
No. The proviso says that a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action is not an offence under the section.
When is a gratification deemed to be given or accepted under Section 171B IPC?▼
A person who offers, or agrees to give, or offers or attempts to procure a gratification is deemed to give it. A person who obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain a gratification is deemed to accept it.
Is there a punishment under Section 171B IPC?▼
Not in this section. It only defines bribery. Section 171E IPC sets the punishment.
Is Section 171B IPC bailable or cognizable?▼
It has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, so it carries no bail or cognizance classification of its own.
Where is Section 171B IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 170 BNS.
Have questions about Section 171B IPC?
Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.
Ask NyayGuru →Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.
Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·