Section 250 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 250 of the Bharatiya Nyāya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:
🛡️ Section 250 – Taking Gift, Etc., to Screen an Offender from Punishment
Statutory Text:
This section addresses the offence committed when someone accepts or agrees to accept any gratification or restitution of property, with the intention of concealing an offence, shielding a person from legal punishment, or not proceeding against them.
📦 Penalty Structure (Tiered by Seriousness):
| Underlying Offence Severity | Punishment for Section 250 |
|---|---|
| Death penalty offence | Up to 7 years’ imprisonment + fine |
| Life imprisonment or ≤10 years | Up to 3 years' imprisonment + fine |
| Imprisonment <10 years | Up to ¼ of max term, or fine, or both |
(lawrato.com, myjudix.com, en.wikipedia.org)
🔍 Key Features:
Who commits it?
Someone who accepts, attempts to obtain, or agrees to accept a bribe or any favour to help shield another from legal consequences.
Intention matters:
It is essential that the act is done with the intent to conceal the offence or prevent prosecution.
Tiered punishment:
The punishment is aligned with the gravity of the offence being covered up—ranging from lighter to harsher penalties.
Legal characteristics:
This is a cognizable offence (police can arrest without warrant).
(lawrato.com)
Generally bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
(lawrato.com)
🧭 Comparison with the IPC:
This section aligns closely with IPC Section 213, which penalizes taking gratification to screen offenders. The BNS, however, clarifies three distinct severity tiers and modernizes the penalties to reflect the current legal landscape.
(uppolice.gov.in)
📌 Bottom Line:
Section 250 BNS criminalizes accepting bribes or gifts in exchange for shielding wrongdoers.
The range of punishment depends on how serious the underlying offence is—from lesser terms up to seven years’ imprisonment plus fines.
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