IPC Section 295 = BNS Section 298

Injuring or Defiling Place of Worship with Intent to Insult Religion

धर्म का अपमान करने के आशय से उपासना-स्थल को क्षति

Offences Relating to Religion No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 295 of the IPC dealt with injuring or defiling a place of worship or sacred object with intent to insult the religion of any class. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 298.
Hindi IPC की धारा 295 उपासना-स्थल या पवित्र वस्तु को क्षति पहुँचाने से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 298 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 295 Section 298
Title Injuring or Defiling Place of Worship with Intent to Insult Religion Injuring or Defiling Place of Worship
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 Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 295 to BNS 298
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused destroyed, damaged, or defiled a place of worship or sacred object
  2. 2 The intent was to insult the religion of any class of persons

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 295?

IPC Section 295 (Injuring or Defiling Place of Worship with Intent to Insult Religion) is now BNS Section 298 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 295 to BNS 298?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 298: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 298 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 298 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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