BBanaka

BNS Section 56: Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 4: Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt

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56. Whoever abets an offence punishable with imprisonment shall, if that offence be not committed in consequence of the abetment, and no express provision is made under this Sanhita for the punishment of such abetment, be punished with imprisonment of any description provided for that offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term provided for that offence; or with such fine as is provided for that offence, or with both; and if the abettor or the person abetted is a public servant, whose duty it is to prevent the commission of such offence, the abettor shall be punished with imprisonment of any description provided for that offence, for a term which may extend to one-half of the longest term provided for that offence, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both.

Illustrations.
(a) A instigates B to give false evidence. Here, if B does not give false evidence, A has nevertheless committed the offence defined in this section, and is punishable accordingly.

(b) A, a police officer, whose duty it is to prevent robbery, abets the commission of robbery. Here, though the robbery be not committed, A is liable to one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, and also to fine.

(c) B abets the commission of a robbery by A, a police officer, whose duty it is to prevent that offence. Here, though the robbery be not committed, B is liable to one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence of robbery, and also to fine.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 116. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

56Abetment of an offence, punishable with imprisonment, if the offence be not committed in consequence of the abetment.

Punishment
Imprisonment extending to one-fourth of the longest term provided for the offence, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or not
According as offence abetted is cognizable or non-cognizable
Bailable or not
According as offence abetted is bailable or non-bailable
Triable by
Court by which offence abetted is triable

56If the abettor or the person abetted be a public servant whose duty it is to prevent the offence.

Punishment
Imprisonment extending to one-half of the longest term provided for the offence, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or not
According as offence abetted is cognizable or non-cognizable
Bailable or not
According as offence abetted is bailable or non-bailable
Triable by
Court by which offence abetted is triable

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 158–159. 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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