IPC Section 292 = BNS Section 294

Sale of Obscene Books, etc.

अश्लील पुस्तकें आदि का विक्रय

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

Overview

Section 292 of the IPC dealt with sale, distribution, or exhibition of obscene books, pamphlets, drawings, etc. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 294. Electronic obscene material is now expressly covered.
Hindi IPC की धारा 292 अश्लील पुस्तकों आदि के विक्रय से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 294 है। इलेक्ट्रॉनिक सामग्री को स्पष्ट रूप से शामिल किया गया है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 292 Section 294
Title Sale of Obscene Books, etc. Sale of Obscene Material
Punishment First offence: imprisonment up to 2 years and fine up to Rs. 2,000; Second offence: up to 5 years and fine up to Rs. 5,000 First offence: imprisonment up to 2 years and fine up to Rs. 2,000; Second offence: up to 5 years and fine up to Rs. 5,000
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 292 to BNS 294
  • Electronic obscene material expressly covered
  • Punishment remains the same for both first and repeat offences

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused sold, distributed, or exhibited obscene material
  2. 2 The material was obscene in nature (books, pamphlets, drawings, etc.)
  3. 3 The act was done in a public place or for public consumption

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 292?

IPC Section 292 (Sale of Obscene Books, etc.) is now BNS Section 294 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 292 to BNS 294?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 294: First offence: imprisonment up to 2 years and fine up to Rs. 2,000; Second offence: up to 5 years and fine up to Rs. 5,000.

Is BNS Section 294 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 294 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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