Section 229 IPC: Personation of a juror or assessor
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 229 IPC at a Glance
Section 229 IPC deals with personation of a juror or assessor. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 268 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years.
Section 229 IPC Bare Act Text
229. Personation of a juror or assessor
Whoever, by personation or otherwise, shall intentionally cause, or knowingly suffer himself to be returned, empanelled or sworn as a juryman or assessor in any case in which he knows that he is not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled or sworn, or knowing himself to have been so returned, empanelled or sworn contrary to law, shall voluntarily serve on such jury or as such assessor, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 229, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 229 IPC in Simple Words
Section 229 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person who, by personation or otherwise, intentionally causes or knowingly suffers himself to be returned, empanelled, or sworn as a juryman or assessor in any case knowing that he is not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled, or sworn. It also punishes any person who, knowing himself to have been so returned, empanelled, or sworn contrary to law, voluntarily serves on such jury or as such assessor.
The offence carries imprisonment of either description for a term extending to two years, or fine, or both. It is non-cognizable, bailable, non-compoundable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Ingredients of Section 229 IPC
- By personation or otherwise, the person intentionally caused, or knowingly suffered, himself to be returned, empanelled or sworn as a juryman or assessor in a case
- He knew that he was not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled or sworn
- Alternatively, knowing himself to have been so returned, empanelled or sworn contrary to law, he voluntarily served on such jury or as such assessor
Punishment Under Section 229 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years.
Fine without a specified statutory limit, or both imprisonment and fine.
Personation of an assessor or juror carries imprisonment of either description up to two years, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 229 IPC
When Section 229 IPC Does Not Apply
- The individual returned, empanelled, or sworn as a juryman or assessor was legally qualified and entitled to serve in that case.
- The individual honestly believed under a mistake of fact that he was legally entitled to be empanelled or sworn and lacked knowledge of any disqualification.
- Upon discovering that his name had been returned or empanelled contrary to law, the individual immediately informed the court and declined to be sworn or to serve.
Section 229 IPC in the BNS
Section 229 IPC is now covered under Section 268 BNS.
Section 229 IPC is now Section 268 BNS. The title and the text drop every reference to a juror, a juryman and a jury, so Section 268 BNS covers only an assessor. The punishment is unchanged.
View detailed comparison (IPC 229 vs BNS 268) →FAQs on Section 229 IPC
What does Section 229 IPC punish?▼
It punishes a person who, by personation or otherwise, intentionally causes or knowingly suffers himself to be returned, empanelled or sworn as a juryman or assessor knowing that he is not entitled by law to be, or who voluntarily serves knowing himself to have been so returned, empanelled or sworn contrary to law.
What is the punishment under Section 229 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Is an offence under Section 229 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
An offence under Section 229 IPC is bailable and non-cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Which court tries an offence under Section 229 IPC?▼
It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Does Section 268 BNS still refer to jurors?▼
No. Section 268 BNS refers only to an assessor. The references to a juror, a juryman and a jury in Section 229 IPC are not carried over.
Can an offence under Section 229 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 229 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 229 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 268 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·