What is the BNS Section 249 equivalent in the old IPC?

BNS Section 249 directly corresponds to legacy IPC Section 212. It consolidates the statutory definition and updated penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

Is Section 249 BNS bailable or non-bailable?

Section 249 BNS is classified as: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station). In bailable matters, bail is a matter of statutory right before the police or magistrate, whereas in non-bailable offences, bail is at judicial discretion under BNSS.

What is the punishment and imprisonment under BNS Section 249?

The prescribed statutory penalty under Section 249 BNS is: Imprisonment for 5 yearsthe offence is punishableand fine.class. with death. Sentences are subject to judicial trial assessment and aggravating/mitigating circumstances.

Is an offence under Section 249 BNS cognizable (arrest without warrant)?

The offence under Section 249 BNS is: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant). In cognizable offences, police officers have the authority to register an FIR and initiate an investigation directly.

Which court has jurisdiction to try cases under Section 249 BNS?

Cases under Section 249 BNS are triable by: Magistrate of the first class under the First Schedule of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

What is the primary objective and citizen takeaway of Section 249 BNS?

Section 249 BNS deals with 'Harbouring offender'. It establishes clear criminal liability, modern evidentiary thresholds, and proportionality in sentencing under India's modernized penal framework.

BNS Section 249

BNS Section 249: Harbouring offender

Equivalent Legacy Law: IPC Section 212

💡 Simplified Explanation

BNS Section 249 defines the rules, regulations, and penalties regarding: "harbouring offender". This section is part of the updated criminal code of India (BNS, 2023) which modernized the legal framework.

Real-World Scenario

"If an individual is found violating the provisions regarding harbouring offender as defined under this Section, they will be charged under BNS Section 249 instead of the old IPC sections."

⚖️ Procedural Classification Summary

Harbouring an offender, if

Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)

Cognizable: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)

Triable by: Magistrate of the first class

Punishment: Imprisonment for 5 yearsthe offence is punishableand fine.class. with death

If punishable with

Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)

Cognizable: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)

Triable by: Magistrate of the first class

Punishment: Imprisonment for 3 yearsimprisonment for life orand fine.class. with imprisonment for 10 years

If punishable with

Bailable: Bailable (Bail is a legal right — granted at police station)

Cognizable: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)

Triable by: Magistrate of the first class

Punishment: Imprisonment for one-imprisonment for 1 yearfourth of the longest term,class. and not for 10 years.and of the descriptions, provided for the offence, or fine, or both

📜 Official Statutory Provision

Section is reorganized in form of clauses (a), (b) and (c) and sub-headings are dropped. 'husband or wife' is replaced by 'spouse'.

Bail Status Guide Is Section 249 Bailable? → Sentencing Guide Jail Term & Fine Details →