Introduction of Section 151 BNS
151 BNS addresses the serious offense of assaulting or using criminal force against the President of India, the Governor of a State, or any similar official, with the intent to compel or restrain them from exercising their lawful powers. This section is meant to protect the highest offices of authority from being pressured or intimidated into making decisions that violate the law.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 151 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 124.
- Introduction of Section 151 BNS
- What is BNS Section 151 ?
- BNS 151 in Simple Points
- Section 151 BNS Overview
- BNS 151 Punishment
- BNS 151 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 151
- BNS Section 151 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is BNS Section 151 ?
BNS Section 151 defines the crime of assaulting or using force against the President, Governor, or other high-ranking officials to coerce them into exercising or refraining from exercising their lawful authority. This is a grave offense as it directly challenges the authority of the government. The law punishes such acts with imprisonment, which may extend up to 7 years, along with a fine.

BNS 151 in Simple Points
- Protection for Leaders: The law protects high-ranking officials like the President and Governors from being attacked or threatened to force them to act in a certain way.
- Using Force is a Crime: If someone tries to control or stop these officials from doing their job by using force, they will be punished.
- Punishable by Jail: The crime is serious, and the person can be sent to jail for up to 7 years if found guilty.
- Non-Bailable Offense: A person accused under this law cannot easily get bail, as it is a serious offense.
- Court Trial: The case will be handled by a higher court, known as a Court of Session, because it is considered a major crime against the government.
Section 151 BNS Overview
BNS Section 151 makes it a crime for anyone to assault, use force, or even attempt to intimidate the President, Governor, or similar officials with the intention of compelling them to act in a certain way or stopping them from exercising their legal powers. The punishment for this offense is imprisonment of up to 7 years, along with a fine.
Sec 151 BNS Overview (10 Key Points in Detail)
- Protection of Constitutional Authorities: Section 151 ensures the protection of high officials, such as the President and Governors, from any form of coercion through violence or criminal force.
- Assault or Criminal Force: The law covers any form of assault or criminal force, including attempts to overawe or intimidate these officials into acting against their lawful authority.
- Intent to Coerce: The key factor is the intention behind the action. If someone tries to make an official act in a way that violates their legal duties or prevents them from exercising their lawful powers, it falls under this section.
- Wrongful Restraint: Even preventing an official from carrying out their duties through restraint, such as physically stopping them from performing a task, is punishable under this section.
- Criminal Show of Force: The section also punishes attempts to use force, even if the force is not carried out but only threatened in an intimidating manner.
- Imprisonment: The punishment can extend up to 7 years of imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.
- Liable to Fine: In addition to imprisonment, the offender may also be required to pay a fine, as determined by the court.
- Cognizable Offense: Since this is a serious crime, the police can arrest the accused without a warrant. The offense is considered a threat to national governance.
- Non-Bailable Offense: Due to the serious nature of this crime, the offense is non-bailable, meaning the accused cannot easily get bail and must go through the court proceedings.
- Court of Session: The trial for offenses under Section 151 is conducted in a Court of Session due to the high stakes involved with such crimes.
BNS Section 151 Examples
- Example 1: A person tries to stop the Governor from signing an important law by physically restraining them and threatening to use force. This person can be charged under Section 151 for using criminal force with the intent to prevent the Governor from exercising their lawful powers.
- Example 2: A group of individuals protests outside the residence of the President, showing weapons and making threats to intimidate the President into overturning a law. Even if no violence occurs, this show of force would be punishable under Section 151 as an attempt to overawe the President.
BNS 151 Punishment
Imprisonment: A person convicted under this section can be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison.
Fine: Along with imprisonment, the offender is also liable to pay a fine, which is decided by the court.

BNS 151 bailable or not ?
BNS Section 151 is non-bailable, meaning the accused does not have an automatic right to bail. The court will decide based on the facts of the case.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 151
Section | Offense | Punishment | Cognizable or Not | Bailable or Not | Court |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNS Section 151 | Assaulting the President, Governor, or other high officials to compel or restrain their powers | Imprisonment up to 7 years | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Court of Session |
BNS Section 151 FAQs
What is BNS Section 151 about?
BNS Section 151 deals with using force or threats against the President, Governor, or other high-ranking officials to compel or stop them from exercising their lawful powers.
What is the punishment under BNS Section 151?
The punishment can be imprisonment for up to 7 years, along with a fine.
Is BNS Section 151 a bailable offense?
No, BNS Section 151 is a non-bailable offense.
What does “cognizable” mean in BNS Section 151?
A cognizable offense means the police can arrest the person without a warrant.
Who handles the trial for offenses under BNS Section 151?
The trial is conducted by a Court of Session, as the offense is serious in nature.
Can the offense under BNS Section 151 be settled out of court?
No, the offense is non-compoundable, meaning it cannot be settled privately and must go through the legal process.
If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
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