MarriageSolution.in: Reliable Legal Partner


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.



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 punishment for wearing soldier's garb or token
BNS 168: Wearing unauthorized military garb may lead to imprisonment

BNS 168 in Simple Points

  1. 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.
  2. Intent to Deceive:
    • The key element is the intention to deceive others into believing that they are part of the Indian Armed Forces.
  3. Punishment:
    • If found guilty, the offender can face up to 3 months of imprisonment, a fine up to ₹2,000, or both.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Maximum Punishment
    The person can be jailed for up to 3 months, fined ₹2,000, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.
  6. Cognizable Offence
    Since this offence is cognizable, the police can arrest the person without a warrant if they are caught violating this section.
  7. Bailable Offence
    The offence is bailable, meaning the person can be released on bail after being arrested for this violation.
  8. Non-Compoundable
    This offence is non-compoundable, meaning it cannot be settled between the accused and the complainant outside of court.
  9. 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.
  10. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Imprisonment:
    • The offender may face up to 3 months of imprisonment if found guilty of wearing military garb or carrying tokens with deceptive intent.
  2. Fine:
    • The offender may be fined an amount up to ₹2,000 or could face both imprisonment and fine.

BNS 168 punishment for wearing military garb
BNS 168: Penalty for impersonating military personnel.

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 SectionOffencePunishmentBailableTriable ByCognizable/Non-Cognizable
168Wearing military garb or carrying military tokensImprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to ₹2,000, or bothYesAny MagistrateCognizable
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 168

BNS Section 168 FAQs

Who is punished under Section 168?

What is the punishment for violating BNS Section 168?

Is BNS Section 168 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?


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.


Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in India.

AFSPA Act

KanhaiyyapahaneJul 18, 202415 min read

AFSPA act mean Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in areas classified as “disturbed” due to significant insurgency or internal disturbances.

Symbolic representation of the Right to Information Act with legal documents and scales of justice.

Right to Information RTI act :Your Comprehensive Guide (Part 1)

KanhaiyyapahaneMar 9, 20246 min read

Explore the essence of the Right to Information (RTI) Act through this symbolic image. The image features legal documents, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. The scales of justice represent the balance achieved through the citizens’ right…

special status under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution.

What is Article 371 of Indian Constitution ?

KanhaiyyapahaneMar 8, 202410 min read

Article 371 of the Indian Constitution grants special provisions to specific states and regions within India, addressing their unique historical, social, and cultural circumstances. These provisions aim to accommodate diverse needs and protect cultural identities within the constitutional framework.

"Indian Labour Law" with factory workers in the background.

Indian Labour law : Your Comprehensive Guide (Part 1)

KanhaiyyapahaneMar 8, 202416 min read

The purpose of labour laws is to safeguard employees and guarantee equitable treatment at the workplace, encompassing aspects such as remuneration, security, and perks. These regulations establish a secure ambiance by imposing minimum wage requirements, ensuring factory safety measures are…

: A colorful infographic with icons representing different aspects of GST, like a shopping cart (goods), a service person (services), a rupee symbol (tax), and a puzzle piece (unified system).

GST :Your Comprehensive Guide (Part 1 – Understanding the Basics)

Amol KanicheMar 7, 202415 min read

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is like a big change in how we pay taxes in India. It started on July 1, 2017, and it’s here to simplify things. Before GST, we had many different taxes, and it could…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Optimized by Optimole