IPC Section 421 = BNS Section 320

Dishonest or Fraudulent Removal or Concealment of Property

संपत्ति का बेईमानी से हटाना या छिपाना

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

Overview

Section 421 of the IPC dealt with dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 320.

Hindi IPC की धारा 421 लेनदारों के बीच वितरण रोकने के लिए संपत्ति को बेईमानी से हटाने से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 320 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 421 Section 320
Title Dishonest or Fraudulent Removal or Concealment of Property Dishonest Removal or Concealment of Property
Punishment Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both
Cognizable No — Warrant required for arrest
Bailable Yes — Bail is a matter of right
Compoundable Yes — Can be settled between parties
Triable By Any Magistrate

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 421 to BNS 320
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused dishonestly or fraudulently removed, concealed, or disposed of property
  2. 2 The purpose was to prevent distribution of property among creditors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 421?

IPC Section 421 (Dishonest or Fraudulent Removal or Concealment of Property) is now BNS Section 320 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 421 to BNS 320?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 320: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 320 cognizable?

No, BNS Section 320 is a non-cognizable, bailable, and 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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