Introduction of Section 60 BNS
Section 60 BNS deals with the punishment for someone who hides or lies about a plan to commit a crime that could lead to imprisonment. This section outlines the consequences if the crime is either committed or not committed.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 60 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 120.
- Introduction of Section 60 BNS
- What is section 60 of BNS ?
- BNS Section 60 in Simple Points
- Detailed Explanations of BNSS Section 60
- 1. Concealing a Crime
- 2. Intent to Help a Crime
- 3. Voluntary Concealment
- 4. Punishment if Crime is Committed
- 5. Punishment if Crime is Not Committed
- 6. Type of Crime (Serious or Minor)
- 7. Bailable or Non-Bailable
- 8. Trial by Court
- 9. Legal Consequences Even if Crime Doesn’t Happen
- 10. Seriousness of Offence
- Examples of BNSS Section 60 in Action
- Section 60 BNS Punishment
- Section 60 BNS bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 60
- BNS Section 60 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is section 60 of BNS ?
Section 60 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covers the legal consequences for a person who, knowing or intending to help a crime, hides or gives false information about the plan to commit that crime. The person can be punished even if the crime does not end up happening.
BNS Section 60 in Simple Points
BNSS Section 60 punishes people who voluntarily conceal or lie about plans of a crime. It applies when someone knows a crime is being planned and deliberately hides this information instead of reporting it to the authorities.
This law is important because concealing crime plans makes it easier for criminals to succeed and weakens law enforcement efforts. Even if the crime is never carried out, the very act of hiding such knowledge is treated as helping criminals and is punishable.
Detailed Explanations of BNSS Section 60
1. Concealing a Crime
This section applies when a person hides or lies about the existence of a crime plan. It is not about direct participation in the crime, but about keeping silent or misrepresenting facts that could prevent the crime.
Example: If you know a gang is planning a robbery and you keep this secret, you are guilty under Section 60.
2. Intent to Help a Crime
The law focuses on whether the person intended to help the crime happen or knew their silence would make the crime more likely. Even if they didn’t directly help, their concealment gives confidence to criminals and is treated as indirect support.
Example: A knows his friend is planning an assault but says nothing because he wants to “let it happen.” His silence shows intent to help.
3. Voluntary Concealment
The concealment must be done on purpose. If someone simply didn’t know, or was forced into silence, they are not guilty. But if they deliberately choose to hide the information, the law punishes them.
Example: A person who hears about a murder plan and deliberately deletes text messages about it is guilty of voluntary concealment.
4. Punishment if Crime is Committed
If the crime actually takes place, the person who concealed the information can be punished with up to one-fourth of the maximum punishment for that crime.
Example: If a robbery is punishable by 10 years, the person hiding the robbery plan could face up to 2.5 years in jail.
5. Punishment if Crime is Not Committed
Even if the planned crime does not happen, the concealer still faces consequences. They may be punished with up to one-eighth of the maximum sentence, a fine, or both. This ensures that attempts to protect criminals don’t go unpunished.
Example: If the robbery never happens, the concealer could still face a smaller jail term or a fine.
6. Type of Crime (Serious or Minor)
The punishment depends on the nature of the concealed crime. If the hidden crime is cognizable (serious, like murder, robbery, or dacoity), the punishment is stricter. If it’s non-cognizable (less serious, like minor assault), the punishment is lighter.
7. Bailable or Non-Bailable
Whether the offence under Section 60 is bailable or non-bailable depends on the seriousness of the concealed crime. If the crime is grave (like murder), the offence is non-bailable. For minor crimes, bail may be allowed.
8. Trial by Court
The trial will be conducted in the same court that handles the main crime. If the concealed crime is murder, the sessions court will handle the trial of the concealer as well. This ensures both crimes are treated with equal seriousness.
9. Legal Consequences Even if Crime Doesn’t Happen
This is the most unique feature: punishment applies even if the crime never occurs. The law punishes the act of concealment itself because it shows loyalty to criminals instead of society.
Example: If you knew about a terrorist plan but it was foiled before happening, you can still be punished for hiding it.
10. Seriousness of Offence
The seriousness of the punishment reflects the seriousness of the concealed crime. If it is a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment, hiding it is treated as a very serious offence. This ensures concealment is never taken lightly.
Examples of BNSS Section 60 in Action
Example 1: A person learns that a robbery is being planned. They do not report it and delete all messages related to it. If the robbery happens, they can face up to one-fourth of the maximum sentence for robbery.
Example 2: Someone hears that their friend is planning an illegal protest involving violence. They hide this information but the protest never takes place. They can still face a smaller jail term, a fine, or both under Section 60.
Section 60 BNS Punishment
Imprisonment:
- If the crime occurs, imprisonment can be up to one-fourth of the maximum sentence for that crime. If the crime doesn’t occur, imprisonment can be up to one-eighth of the maximum sentence.
Fine:
- A fine can be imposed instead of or in addition to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the crime and whether it was committed or not.
Section 60 BNS bailable or not ?
The bailability of the offence under Section 60 depends on the nature of the crime being concealed. If the main crime is bailable, then the offence under Section 60 would also be bailable. If the main crime is non-bailable, then the offence under Section 60 would be non-bailable.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 60
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable or Non-cognizable | Bailable or Non-bailable | By What Court Triable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60(a) | Concealing a plan to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment, if the offence is actually committed. | Imprisonment up to one-fourth of the longest term provided for the offence, or a fine, or both. | Depends on whether the offence being concealed is cognizable or non-cognizable. | Depends on whether the offence being concealed is bailable or non-bailable. | Court that would try the main offence. |
| 60(b) | Concealing a plan to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment, if the offence is not committed. | Imprisonment up to one-eighth of the longest term provided for the offence, or a fine, or both. | Depends on whether the offence being concealed is cognizable or non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Court that would try the main offence. |
BNS Section 60 FAQs
What is BNS Section 60 about?
It’s about punishing those who hide or lie about a plan to commit a crime.
What happens if the crime is committed?
The person hiding or lying about it can be imprisoned for up to one-fourth of the maximum sentence for the crime.
What if the crime isn’t committed?
The person can still face imprisonment for up to one-eighth of the maximum sentence, a fine, or both.
BNS Section 60 Is it bailable?
It depends on the nature of the crime being concealed. If the main crime is non-bailable, then the offence under Section 60 would also be non-bailable.
BNS Section 60 offence is serious?
The seriousness depends on the crime being concealed. It can be either cognizable or non-cognizable, bailable or non-bailable.
If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Court or any other marriage-related issues, our https://marriagesolution.in/lawyer-help-1/ website may prove helpful. By completing our enquiry form and submitting it online, we can provide customized guidance to navigate through the process.