IPC Section 419 = BNS Section 319

Cheating by Personation

प्रतिरूपण द्वारा छल

Fraud, Cheating & Breach of Trust No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 419 of the IPC dealt with cheating by impersonation — pretending to be another person or knowingly substituting one person for another. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 319.

Hindi IPC की धारा 419 प्रतिरूपण द्वारा छल से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 319 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 419 Section 319
Title Cheating by Personation Cheating by Personation
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 419 to BNS 319
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused cheated by pretending to be another person
  2. 2 Or the accused knowingly substituted one person for another

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 419?

IPC Section 419 (Cheating by Personation) is now BNS Section 319 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 419 to BNS 319?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 319: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 319 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 319 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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