IPC Section 295A = BNS Section 299

Deliberate and Malicious Acts Intended to Outrage Religious Feelings

धार्मिक भावनाओं को ठेस पहुँचाने के जानबूझकर कार्य

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

Overview

Section 295A of the IPC dealt with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 299. Electronic communication is now expressly included.
Hindi IPC की धारा 295A धार्मिक भावनाओं को ठेस पहुँचाने के जानबूझकर कार्यों से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 299 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 295A Section 299
Title Deliberate and Malicious Acts Intended to Outrage Religious Feelings Deliberate Acts to Outrage Religious Feelings
Punishment Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both Imprisonment up to 3 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 295A to BNS 299
  • Electronic communication expressly included
  • Punishment remains the same

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused committed a deliberate and malicious act
  2. 2 The act was intended to outrage religious feelings of any class
  3. 3 The act was done by words, sounds, signs, or visible representations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 295A?

IPC Section 295A (Deliberate and Malicious Acts Intended to Outrage Religious Feelings) is now BNS Section 299 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 295A to BNS 299?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 299: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 299 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 299 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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