Introduction of 168 BNS
168 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita addresses the offence of a person, who is not a soldier, sailor, or airman, wearing uniforms or carrying tokens that resemble those used by the Indian military. The intention must be to deceive others into believing that the person is actually a member of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The punishment for this offence includes imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 168 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 140.
- Introduction of 168 BNS
- What is BNS Section 168 ?
- BNS 168 in Simple Points
- Section 168 BNS Overview
- 168 BNS Punishment
- BNS 168 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 168
- BNS Section 168 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 168 ?
BNS Section 168 prohibits civilians from wearing uniforms or carrying military tokens used by soldiers, sailors, or airmen, with the intention to make others believe they are part of the military. If someone does this, they can be punished with up to 3 months of imprisonment, a fine up to ₹2,000, or both.

BNS 168 in Simple Points
- Non-Military Offence:
- The offence applies to any person who is not in the Army, Navy, or Air Force of India but pretends to be by wearing military uniforms or carrying military tokens.
- Intent to Deceive:
- The key element is the intention to deceive others into believing that they are part of the Indian Armed Forces.
- Punishment:
- If found guilty, the offender can face up to 3 months of imprisonment, a fine up to ₹2,000, or both.
- Cognizable and Bailable:
- The offence is cognizable, meaning the police can arrest without a warrant, and it is bailable, so the accused can be released on bail.
- Trial by Magistrate:
- The offence is triable by any magistrate in the court of law.
Section 168 BNS Overview
BNS Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita makes it illegal for anyone who is not a soldier, sailor, or airman to wear military uniforms or carry tokens (like badges or medals) that look like they belong to the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. The goal of this law is to prevent people from pretending to be part of the military to deceive others. If someone is caught doing this, they can face a punishment of up to 3 months in jail, a fine of ₹2,000, or both.
Detailed Key Points of BNS Section 168
- Applicable to Civilians Only
This law applies to people who are not soldiers, sailors, or airmen. Only civilians pretending to be part of the military are punished under this section. - Offence by Wearing Uniforms
Wearing uniforms that resemble military garb is considered an offence if done with the intention of deceiving others into thinking that the person is a soldier, sailor, or airman. - Use of Military Tokens
Carrying or displaying tokens that look like official military items (such as badges or medals) is also punishable if the person does so to create the false impression of being part of the military. - Intent to Mislead
The offence under this section only occurs when the person is doing it intentionally to fool others into thinking they are in the military. If it’s done without intent to deceive, it may not be considered a crime. - Maximum Punishment
The person can be jailed for up to 3 months, fined ₹2,000, or both, depending on the severity of the offence. - Cognizable Offence
Since this offence is cognizable, the police can arrest the person without a warrant if they are caught violating this section. - Bailable Offence
The offence is bailable, meaning the person can be released on bail after being arrested for this violation. - Non-Compoundable
This offence is non-compoundable, meaning it cannot be settled between the accused and the complainant outside of court. - Trial by Magistrate
Cases under BNS Section 168 are handled by a magistrate. The person accused of the offence will have to appear before a magistrate for their trial. - Aim of the Law
The main purpose of this law is to protect the respect and honor of military uniforms and to prevent civilians from taking advantage of military identity for personal gain.
BNS Section 168: Simple Examples
- Example 1:
- A person in Delhi is seen wearing a uniform resembling that of an Army officer while attending a public function. He does this to gain respect from the public. He is arrested under Section 168 for pretending to be an Army officer.
- Example 2:
- A man in Mumbai is caught carrying a military ID card and badge that looks like an official military token, with the intention of gaining benefits at an airport. He is charged under BNS Section 168 for impersonating a soldier.
168 BNS Punishment
- Imprisonment:
- The offender may face up to 3 months of imprisonment if found guilty of wearing military garb or carrying tokens with deceptive intent.
- Fine:
- The offender may be fined an amount up to ₹2,000 or could face both imprisonment and fine.

BNS 168 bailable or not ?
Bailable: Yes, the offence is bailable under BNS Section 168, meaning the accused can be released on bail.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 168
BNS Section | Offence | Punishment | Bailable | Triable By | Cognizable/Non-Cognizable |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
168 | Wearing military garb or carrying military tokens | Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to ₹2,000, or both | Yes | Any Magistrate | Cognizable |
BNS Section 168 FAQs
Who is punished under Section 168?
Any civilian who wears military uniforms or carries military tokens with the intention to make others believe they are in the Indian Armed Forces can be punished under this section.
What is the punishment for violating BNS Section 168?
The punishment includes up to 3 months of imprisonment, a fine up to ₹2,000, or both.
Is BNS Section 168 bailable?
Yes, the offence is bailable.
Can someone be arrested without a warrant for BNS 168 offence?
Yes, since it is a cognizable offence, the police can arrest without a warrant.
BNS 168 the offence compoundable?
No, the offence is non-compoundable, meaning it cannot be settled out of court between the parties.
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