BBanaka

BNS Section 72: Disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences, etc

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 5: Of Offences Against Woman and Child - Of sexual offences - Of criminal force and assault against woman - Of offences relating to marriage - Of causing miscarriage, etc. - Of offences against child

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72.
(1) Whoever prints or publishes the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 64 or section 65 or section 66 or section 67 or section 68 or section 69 or section 70 or section 71 is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) extends to any printing or publication of the name or any matter which may make known the identity of the victim if such printing or publication is—

(a) by or under the order in writing of the officer-in-charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation into such offence acting in good faith for the purposes of such investigation; or

(b) by, or with the authorisation in writing of, the victim; or

(c) where the victim is dead or a child or of unsound mind, by, or with the authorisation in writing of, the next of kin of the victim: Provided that no such authorisation shall be given by the next of kin to anybody other than the chairman or the secretary, by whatever name called, of any recognised welfare institution or organisation.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “recognised welfare institution or organisation” means a social welfare institution or organisation recognised in this behalf by the Central Government or the State Government.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 228A. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

72(1)Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences, etc.

Punishment
Imprisonment for 2 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Bailable
Triable by
Any Magistrate

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 161. 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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