IPC Section 166 = BNS Section 198

Public Servant Disobeying Law with Intent to Cause Injury

लोक सेवक द्वारा विधि की अवज्ञा

False Evidence & Offences by Public Servants No Change in Punishment Non-Cognizable Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 166 of the IPC dealt with a public servant knowingly disobeying the law with intent to cause injury to any person. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 198.

Hindi IPC की धारा 166 लोक सेवक द्वारा जानबूझकर विधि की अवज्ञा से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 198 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 166 Section 198
Title Public Servant Disobeying Law with Intent to Cause Injury Public Servant Disobeying Law
Punishment Simple imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both Simple imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both
Cognizable No — Warrant required for arrest
Bailable Yes — Bail is a matter of right
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 166 to BNS 198
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused was a public servant
  2. 2 They knowingly disobeyed a direction of law
  3. 3 The intent was to cause injury to any person

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 166?

IPC Section 166 (Public Servant Disobeying Law with Intent to Cause Injury) is now BNS Section 198 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 166 to BNS 198?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 198: Simple imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 198 cognizable?

No, BNS Section 198 is a non-cognizable, bailable, and non-compoundable offence.

Legal Disclaimer

This IPC-to-BNS section comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The mapping may not cover all nuances introduced by the new law. Always consult a qualified advocate or legal professional before relying on this information. For more details, see our Disclaimer.

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