Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Section 255

BNS 255: earlier IPC 217

Section 255 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaces Section 217 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. BNS 255 deals with public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

BNS 255 was IPC 217.

Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.

Carried over
Old wording kept in full
Old · IPC 1860 · Ch. XI
s. 217
Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
Whoever, being a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Text from the official India Code PDF
New · BNS 2023 · Ch. XIV
s. 255
Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
Whoever, being a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Text from India Code
Old classification · CrPC First Schedule, for IPC 217
CognizableNon-cognizable
BailableBailable
PunishmentImprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
Triable byAny Magistrate.
For an offence under the BNS, check the First Schedule of the BNSS.

The new section for any IPC, CrPC or Evidence Act provision, and the old one for any BNS, BNSS or BSA section, with a converter for whole charges. Free, no sign-up.

Section-wise charts: IPC to BNS chart · CrPC to BNSS chart · Evidence Act to BSA chart

Open the converter