IPC Section 496 = BNS Section 83

Marriage Ceremony Performed Fraudulently Without Lawful Marriage

विधिपूर्ण विवाह के बिना कपटपूर्ण विवाह संस्कार

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

Overview

Section 496 of the IPC dealt with going through a marriage ceremony fraudulently without any lawful marriage taking place. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 83.

Hindi IPC की धारा 496 विधिपूर्ण विवाह के बिना कपटपूर्ण विवाह संस्कार से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 83 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 496 Section 83
Title Marriage Ceremony Performed Fraudulently Without Lawful Marriage Fraudulent Marriage Ceremony
Punishment Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine Imprisonment up to 7 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 Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 496 to BNS 83
  • 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 went through a ceremony of marriage
  2. 2 No lawful marriage was actually performed
  3. 3 The intent was to deceive the other person

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 496?

IPC Section 496 (Marriage Ceremony Performed Fraudulently Without Lawful Marriage) is now BNS Section 83 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 496 to BNS 83?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 83: Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Is BNS Section 83 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 83 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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