BNS Chapter VIII — Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force
Introduction
Chapter VIII of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with offences related to the armed forces — Army, Navy, and Air Force. It covers abetment of mutiny, desertion, assault on superior officers, harbouring deserters, and misuse of military uniforms or symbols. These provisions help preserve discipline and ensure respect for authority in the defence services.
BNS Sections Covered
| BNS Section | Title | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | Abetting mutiny or seducing soldier, sailor or airman | Punishes efforts to incite mutiny or mislead armed forces personnel. |
| 160 | Abetment of mutiny, if committed | Liability if mutiny takes place due to abetment. |
| 161 | Abetment of assault on superior officer | Encouraging armed personnel to attack their superior officers. |
| 162 | Abetment of such assault, if committed | Punishment when the abetted assault is carried out. |
| 163 | Abetment of desertion | Helping or persuading a soldier, sailor, or airman to desert duty. |
| 164 | Harbouring deserter | Hiding or giving shelter to military deserters. |
| 165 | Deserter concealed on merchant vessel | Negligence by a ship’s master concealing a deserter on board. |
| 166 | Abetment of act of insubordination | Encouraging disobedience among armed forces personnel. |
| 167 | Persons subject to certain Acts | Defines who falls under the military-related laws. |
| 168 | Wearing garb or carrying token of armed forces | Illegal use of uniforms or tokens of armed forces personnel. |
Conclusion
Chapter VIII (BNS Sections 159–168) explains the laws that keep discipline in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It says that anyone who encourages soldiers to disobey orders, desert their duty, or attack their officers can be punished. It also punishes people who hide deserters or allow them to escape, even by negligence. Using military uniforms or symbols without permission is also a crime. In simple words, this chapter makes sure that India’s armed forces remain disciplined, loyal, and respectful of authority.