IPC Section 269 = BNS Section 271

Negligent Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease

रोग का संक्रमण फैलाने वाला लापरवाही से किया गया कार्य

Offences Against Public Health & Safety No Change in Punishment Non-Cognizable Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 269 of the IPC dealt with negligent acts likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 271.

Hindi IPC की धारा 269 रोग का संक्रमण फैलाने वाले लापरवाही से किए गए कार्यों से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 271 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 269 Section 271
Title Negligent Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease Negligent Act Likely to Spread Infection
Punishment Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both
Cognizable No — Warrant required for arrest
Bailable Yes — Bail is a matter of right
Compoundable Yes — Can be settled between parties
Triable By Any Magistrate

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 269 to BNS 271
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused unlawfully or negligently did an act
  2. 2 The act was likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 269?

IPC Section 269 (Negligent Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease) is now BNS Section 271 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 269 to BNS 271?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 271: Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 271 cognizable?

No, BNS Section 271 is a non-cognizable, bailable, and 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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