IPC Section 270 = BNS Section 272

Malignant Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease

रोग का संक्रमण फैलाने वाला दुर्भावनापूर्ण कार्य

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

Overview

Section 270 of the IPC dealt with malignant acts likely to spread infection of disease — a more serious version of Section 269 with intent element. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 272.

Hindi IPC की धारा 270 रोग का संक्रमण फैलाने वाले दुर्भावनापूर्ण कार्यों से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 272 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 270 Section 272
Title Malignant Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease Malignant Act Likely to Spread Infection
Punishment Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Any Magistrate

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 270 to BNS 272
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused malignantly did an act
  2. 2 The act was likely to spread infection of a disease dangerous to life

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 270?

IPC Section 270 (Malignant Act Likely to Spread Infection of Disease) is now BNS Section 272 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 270 to BNS 272?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 272: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 272 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 272 is a cognizable, non-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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