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Introduction of Section 140 BNS

BNS Section 140 addresses various serious offenses related to kidnapping and abduction. It covers crimes committed with the intent to murder, extort ransom, wrongfully confine, or inflict severe harm on individuals. This section details the types of kidnapping and abduction and their corresponding punishments, reflecting the gravity of these offenses.


The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 140(1) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 364.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 140(2) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 364-A.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 140(3) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 365.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 140(3) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 367.



What is section 140 of BNS ?

BNS Section 140 defines kidnapping and abduction in the context of committing or attempting to commit serious crimes. It specifies the intent behind the kidnapping or abduction, such as causing murder, extortion, wrongful confinement, or grievous harm. The section outlines the types of punishments for these crimes, which include life imprisonment, rigorous imprisonment, and fines.


140 BNS: kidnapping and abduction explanation
140 BNS : covers kidnapping and abduction for serious crimes

BNS 140 in Simple Points

BNS Section 140 in Simple Points

  1. Types of Offenses: Section 140 deals with kidnapping or abduction done with the intent to murder, extort ransom, wrongfully confine, or inflict severe harm.
  2. Punishments: The section prescribes severe punishments, including life imprisonment and fines.
  3. Seriousness: The section addresses high-level crimes, making it a crucial part of legal provisions against severe criminal acts.
  4. Court Jurisdiction: Different subsections are triable in different courts, from Magistrates of the First Class to the Court of Session.
  5. Non-Bailable: Offenses under this section are generally non-bailable, indicating the seriousness of the crimes.

Detailed Explanation of BNS Section 140

BNS Section 140(1): Kidnapping to Murder

Key Points:

  1. Definition: This subsection deals with kidnapping or abduction with the intention of murdering the person or putting them in danger of being murdered.
  2. Punishment: The penalty includes life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment for up to ten years, along with a fine.
  3. Intent: The key element is the intent to kill or put the victim at significant risk of death.
  4. Examples:
    • Example 1: A person abducts someone intending to sacrifice them as part of a ritual. This constitutes an offense under this section.
    • Example 2: A person forcibly takes someone away to a remote location with the intent to murder them. This is also covered under this section.
  5. Court: This offense is tried in the Court of Session.

BNS Section 140(2): Kidnapping for Ransom or Coercion

Key Points:

  1. Definition: This subsection addresses kidnapping with the aim of extorting ransom, or using threats of death or injury to coerce a person or entity.
  2. Punishment: The penalty can be death or life imprisonment, along with a fine.
  3. Threats: It involves threats to cause death or serious harm to compel action or payment.
  4. Examples:
    • Example 1: A person kidnaps a business executive and demands a large ransom for their release, threatening harm if the ransom is not paid.
    • Example 2: An individual abducts a politician and threatens to kill them unless a government entity meets certain demands.
  5. Court: This offense is triable in the Court of Session.

BNS Section 140(3): Kidnapping for Wrongful Confinement

Key Points:

  1. Definition: This subsection covers kidnapping or abduction with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine the person.
  2. Punishment: The penalty includes imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine.
  3. Confinement: It focuses on wrongful confinement, meaning keeping someone against their will in a restricted space.
  4. Examples:
    • Example 1: A person kidnaps someone and locks them in an abandoned building, intending to keep them there secretly.
    • Example 2: An individual abducts someone and confines them in a hidden location to prevent their escape.
  5. Court: This offense is triable by a Magistrate of the First Class.

BNS Section 140(4): Kidnapping to Subject to Grievous Harm or Slavery

Key Points:

  1. Definition: This subsection addresses kidnapping or abduction with the intent to subject the person to grievous harm, slavery, or unnatural lust.
  2. Punishment: The penalty includes imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine.
  3. Harm: It involves severe physical harm or conditions akin to slavery.
  4. Examples:
    • Example 1: A person kidnaps someone to force them into labor under harsh conditions, resembling slavery.
    • Example 2: An individual abducts someone and subjects them to severe physical abuse or exploitation.
  5. Court: This offense is tried in the Court of Session.

Section 140 BNS Overview

BNS Section 140 outlines the criminal offenses related to kidnapping or abducting individuals with specific malicious intents such as murder, ransom, or severe harm. This section specifies different scenarios of kidnapping and the corresponding severe punishments.

Section 140 BNS Overview

  1. Kidnapping for Murder: If someone kidnaps a person to murder them or put them in danger of being murdered, they face life imprisonment or up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine.
  2. Kidnapping for Ransom: If a person kidnaps someone to demand ransom or to force a government or organization to act or refrain from acting, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment along with a fine.
  3. Wrongful Confinement: Kidnapping with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine the person carries a punishment of up to 7 years of imprisonment and a fine.
  4. Grievous Harm or Slavery: Kidnapping with the intent to subject the person to severe harm, slavery, or unnatural lust results in imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine.
  5. Cognizable Offense: All offenses under this section are cognizable, meaning the police have the authority to arrest without a warrant.
  6. Non-Bailable Offense: The offenses under this section are non-bailable, meaning bail cannot be easily obtained.
  7. Triable by Court of Session: Serious cases such as those involving murder or ransom are triable by a Court of Session, which handles more severe cases.
  8. Presumption of Guilt: If the accused is found to have kidnapped for ransom or to coerce someone, there is a presumption of guilt unless proven otherwise.
  9. Exemptions: The section does not specify specific exemptions, but standard legal principles of defense and justification apply.
  10. Detailed Penalties: The section provides detailed penalties based on the type of crime, ranging from life imprisonment to specific years of imprisonment.

BNS 140 Punishment

  1. Imprisonment: For offenses like kidnapping for murder, the punishment can range from life imprisonment to rigorous imprisonment for up to 10 years, depending on the case specifics.
  2. Fine: Offenders are also liable to pay a fine, the amount of which varies depending on the nature of the crime.

140 BNS Punishment :  kidnapping punishment details
Punishment for kidnapping under BNS 140 includes life imprisonment

BNS 140 bailable or not ?

Non-Bailable: All offenses under Section 140 are non-bailable, which means that bail is not easily granted due to the severity of the crimes.


Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 140

SubsectionDescriptionPunishmentClassificationTrial By
BNS 140(1)Kidnapping to murderLife imprisonment or up to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fineCognizable, Non-bailableCourt of Session
BNS 140(2)Kidnapping for ransom or coercionDeath or life imprisonment and fineCognizable, Non-bailableCourt of Session
BNS 140(3)Kidnapping for wrongful confinementUp to 7 years’ imprisonment and fineCognizable, Non-bailableMagistrate of the First Class
BNS 140(4)Kidnapping to subject to grievous harm or slaveryUp to 10 years’ imprisonment and fineCognizable, Non-bailableCourt of Session
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 140

BNS Section 140 FAQs

What does BNS Section 140 cover?

What are the penalties for kidnapping under BNS Section 140?

Is kidnapping for ransom considered under BNS Section 140?

Yes, kidnapping for ransom is explicitly covered and can result in severe penalties including the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Can someone be imprisoned for wrongful confinement under BNS Section 140?

Is BNS Section 140 a bailable offense?

Which court handles cases under BNS Section 140?


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