Section 24 IPC: “Dishonestly”
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 24 IPC at a Glance
Section 24 IPC defines the term “Dishonestly”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(7) BNS.
None. Section 24 IPC creates no offence.
Section 24 IPC Bare Act Text
24. “Dishonestly”
Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person, is said to do that thing “dishonestly”.
Source: Section 24, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 24 IPC in Simple Words
Section 24 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the word dishonestly. A person does a thing dishonestly when he does it with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person.
Wrongful gain and wrongful loss carry the meaning given in Section 23 IPC. The test is the intention behind the act, not its result.
The section creates no offence and sets no punishment.
Ingredients of Section 24 IPC
- An act done by the person
- An intention, when doing it, of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person
Punishment Under Section 24 IPC
None. Section 24 IPC creates no offence.
None.
Section 24 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 24 IPC
When Section 24 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 24 IPC does not apply when a traveler picks up another passenger's suitcase by mistake believing it to be his own, because there is no intention of causing wrongful gain or wrongful loss.
- Section 24 IPC does not apply when a courier accidentally drops and damages a parcel through negligence, because a careless act lacks the intention to cause wrongful loss.
- Section 24 IPC does not apply when an owner recovers his own goods from someone holding them without any legal right, because no wrongful gain or wrongful loss is intended.
Section 24 IPC in the BNS
Section 24 IPC is now covered under Section 2(7) BNS.
Section 2(7) BNS states the definition as dishonestly means doing anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person. The IPC framed it around the doer, saying whoever does anything with that intention is said to do that thing dishonestly. The intention required is word for word the same.
View detailed comparison (IPC 24 vs BNS 2(7)) →FAQs on Section 24 IPC
What does Section 24 IPC define?▼
The word dishonestly. Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person is said to do that thing dishonestly.
Under Section 24 IPC, must the wrongful gain or loss actually happen?▼
No. The definition turns on intention. What matters is what the person meant to cause when he acted.
Under Section 24 IPC, what do wrongful gain and wrongful loss mean?▼
Section 23 IPC defines them. Wrongful gain is gain by unlawful means of property to which the person gaining is not legally entitled, and wrongful loss is the matching loss to a person who is legally entitled.
Under Section 24 IPC, how is dishonestly different from fraudulently?▼
Section 25 IPC says a person does a thing fraudulently if he does it with intent to defraud but not otherwise. Dishonestly turns on wrongful gain or wrongful loss of property.
Does Section 24 IPC create an offence?▼
No. It sets no punishment. It matters through the offences that need dishonest intention, such as theft under Section 378 IPC and criminal breach of trust under Section 405 IPC.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·