IPC Section 326A = BNS Section 124

Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt by Acid Attack

तेजाब से स्वेच्छया गंभीर उपहति

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

Overview

Section 326A of the IPC dealt with acid attacks causing grievous hurt, introduced in 2013 after the landmark case of Laxmi v. Union of India. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 124.
Hindi IPC की धारा 326A तेजाब हमले से गंभीर उपहति से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 124 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 326A Section 124
Title Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt by Acid Attack Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt by Acid Attack
Punishment Imprisonment not less than 10 years, extendable to imprisonment for life and fine Imprisonment not less than 10 years, extendable to imprisonment for life and fine
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 326A to BNS 124
  • Minimum 10 years imprisonment remains
  • No substantive changes in punishment

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused voluntarily threw acid or attempted to throw acid
  2. 2 The acid caused permanent or partial damage to the body
  3. 3 The damage caused constitutes grievous hurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 326A?

IPC Section 326A (Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt by Acid Attack) is now BNS Section 124 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 326A to BNS 124?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 124: Imprisonment not less than 10 years, extendable to imprisonment for life and fine.

Is BNS Section 124 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 124 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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