BNS Section 157: Public servant negligently suffering such a prisoner to escape
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 7: Of Offences Against the State
Also available in: हिंदी
¶157. Whoever, being a public servant and having the custody of any State prisoner or prisoner of war, negligently suffers such prisoner to escape from any place of confinement in which such prisoner is confined, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Study: explanations and related material
Replaces IPC 129. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)
Punishment, bail and trial
157Public servant negligently suffering prisoner of State or war in his custody to escape.
- Punishment
- Simple imprisonment for 3 years and fine.
- Cognizable or not
- Cognizable
- Bailable or not
- Bailable
- Triable by
- Magistrate of the first class
Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 169. 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.
Other sections in this chapter
- 147. Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against Government of India
- 148. Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 147
- 149. Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against Government of India
- 150. Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war
- 151. Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain exercise of any lawful power
- 152. Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
- 153. Waging war against Government of any foreign State at peace with the Government of India
- 154. Committing depredation on territories of foreign State at peace with the Government of India
- 155. Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 153 and 154
- 156. Public servant voluntarily allowing a prisoner of State or war to escape
- 158. Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such a prisoner