IPC Section 332 = BNS Section 121

Voluntarily Causing Hurt to Public Servant

लोक सेवक को स्वेच्छया उपहति

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

Overview

Section 332 of the IPC dealt with voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant in the discharge of duty. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 121.

Hindi IPC की धारा 332 कर्तव्य पालन में लोक सेवक को स्वेच्छया उपहति से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 121 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 332 Section 121
Title Voluntarily Causing Hurt to Public Servant Voluntarily Causing Hurt to Public Servant
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 332 to BNS 121
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused voluntarily caused hurt to a public servant
  2. 2 The hurt was caused while the public servant was discharging duty
  3. 3 The intent was to deter the public servant from performing duty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 332?

IPC Section 332 (Voluntarily Causing Hurt to Public Servant) is now BNS Section 121 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 332 to BNS 121?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 121: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 121 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 121 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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