BNS Section 140: Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder or for ransom, etc

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 6: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body - Of offences affecting life - Of hurt - Of wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement - Of criminal force and assault - Of kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour

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140. (1) Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be murdered or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Illustrations.
(a) A kidnaps Z from India, intending or knowing it to be likely that Z may be sacrificed to an idol. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
(b) A forcibly carries or entices B away from his home in order that B may be murdered. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

(2) Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person or keeps a person in detention after such kidnapping or abduction, and threatens to cause death or hurt to such person, or by his conduct gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that such person may be put to death or hurt, or causes hurt or death to such person in order to compel the Government or any foreign State or international inter-governmental organisation or any other person to do or abstain from doing any act or to pay a ransom, shall be punishable with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

(3) Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(4) Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be subjected,or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being subjected to grievous hurt, or slavery, or to the unnatural lust of any person, or knowing it to be likely that such person will be so subjected or disposed of, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 364, IPC 364A, IPC 365, IPC 367. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

140(1)Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder.

Punishment
Imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

140(2)Kidnapping for ransom, etc.

Punishment
Death, or imprisonment for life and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

140(3)Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Magistrate of the first class

140(4)Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject a person to grievous hurt, slavery, etc.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 10 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 167. The Schedule gives the substance of the section, not its full definition, and a State may have amended the classification for its territory. See it in the full First Schedule

Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.

This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.

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