IPC Section 493 = BNS Section 81

Cohabitation Caused by Man Deceitfully Inducing Belief of Lawful Marriage

विवाह का विश्वास कराकर सहवास

Offences Relating to Marriage No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 493 of the IPC dealt with a man deceitfully inducing a woman to believe she is lawfully married to him and cohabiting with her. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 81.
Hindi IPC की धारा 493 विवाह का विश्वास कराकर सहवास से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 81 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 493 Section 81
Title Cohabitation Caused by Man Deceitfully Inducing Belief of Lawful Marriage Cohabitation by Deceit of Marriage
Punishment Imprisonment up to 10 years and fine Imprisonment up to 10 years 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 493 to BNS 81
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused deceitfully caused a woman to believe she was lawfully married to him
  2. 2 The accused cohabited with the woman under such belief
  3. 3 The woman was not lawfully married to the accused

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 493?

IPC Section 493 (Cohabitation Caused by Man Deceitfully Inducing Belief of Lawful Marriage) is now BNS Section 81 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 493 to BNS 81?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 81: Imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.

Is BNS Section 81 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 81 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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