IPC Section 304B = BNS Section 80

Dowry Death

दहेज मृत्यु

Offences Against Women No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 304B of the IPC dealt with dowry death — where a woman dies within 7 years of marriage under unnatural circumstances and was subjected to cruelty or harassment for dowry. Under the BNS 2023, this is now Section 80. The punishment remains imprisonment of not less than 7 years, extendable to life imprisonment.
Hindi IPC की धारा 304B दहेज मृत्यु से संबंधित थी — जहां विवाह के 7 वर्ष के भीतर किसी महिला की असामान्य परिस्थितियों में मृत्यु होती है और उसे दहेज के लिए क्रूरता या उत्पीड़न के अधीन किया गया था। BNS 2023 के तहत, यह अब धारा 80 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 304B Section 80
Title Dowry Death Dowry Death
Punishment Imprisonment not less than 7 years, extendable to life imprisonment Imprisonment not less than 7 years, extendable to life imprisonment
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Court of Session

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 304B to BNS 80
  • Substantive provisions and punishment remain the same
  • The 7-year timeline from marriage continues to apply
  • Presumption against the husband/relatives remains intact

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 Death of a woman within 7 years of marriage
  2. 2 Death occurred otherwise than under normal circumstances
  3. 3 The woman was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives
  4. 4 Such cruelty or harassment was in connection with demand for dowry
  5. 5 The cruelty/harassment occurred soon before death

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 304B?

IPC Section 304B (Dowry Death) is now BNS Section 80 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

What is the minimum punishment for dowry death?

The minimum punishment is 7 years of imprisonment, which may extend to life imprisonment. This remains unchanged from IPC 304B.

What is the 7-year rule in dowry death cases?

If a woman dies within 7 years of marriage under abnormal circumstances and it is shown that she was subjected to cruelty for dowry soon before death, it is presumed to be a dowry death.

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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