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Introduction of 220 BNS

220 BNS addresses the issue of illegal purchases or bids during a sale of property conducted by the lawful authority of a public servant. This law aims to prevent individuals from taking advantage of auctions or sales where they either bid on behalf of someone who is not legally allowed to buy the property, or they bid with no intention of fulfilling their obligations. The section ensures fairness and accountability in public sales.


The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 220 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 184.



What is BNS Section 220 ?

BNS Section 220 makes it an offense for anyone to purchase or bid for property at a sale held by a public servant if they know that either they themselves or the person they represent is legally ineligible to buy that property. Additionally, it criminalizes bidding without the intention to fulfill the obligations of the bid. The punishment for this offense can include imprisonment for up to one month, a fine up to ₹200, or both.


BNS Section 220: Penalties for illegal property bidding
220 BNS: Punishment for ineligible purchasing or bidding

BNS 220 in Simple Points

  1. Illegal Purchase or Bid:
    This section makes it a crime for anyone to buy or place a bid at a public auction if they know that the person they represent (or themselves) is not legally allowed to buy the property. For example, if someone is banned from buying property due to legal restrictions, they cannot ask someone else to bid on their behalf.
  2. Bidding Without Intent to Pay:
    It is also a crime to place a bid in a public auction without intending to follow through with the payment or obligations. This ensures that all bids made are genuine, and no one disrupts the auction by placing false or deceptive bids.
  3. Punishment for Offense:
    If someone is found guilty of violating this section, they can face up to one month in jail or a fine of ₹200, or both. The court decides the punishment based on the seriousness of the offense.
  4. Public Servant’s Authority:
    The section applies to auctions or sales conducted by a public servant (a government official). The property being sold could be seized, confiscated, or owned by the government, and the public servant is in charge of the sale process.
  5. Legal Proceedings:
    The crime is non-cognizable, meaning the police cannot arrest the person without a court-issued warrant. The offense is bailable, so the accused can apply for bail, and it is handled by any magistrate, ensuring a quick resolution in lower courts.

Section 220 BNS Overview

BNS Section 220 deals with the illegal purchase or bidding for property that has been offered for sale by a public servant with lawful authority. If someone buys or bids on behalf of a person who is legally barred from purchasing, or if they bid without the intention of fulfilling the obligations they commit to, they can be punished with imprisonment or a fine. This section ensures the integrity of sales conducted by public authorities.

BNS Section 220: 10 Key Points Explained in Detail

  1. Illegal Purchase or Bid:
    • This section targets illegal purchases or bids made at sales conducted by public authorities. If someone participates in a sale knowing that they or the person they represent are legally restricted from purchasing the property, it is considered an offense.
  2. Public Servant’s Authority:
    • The property must be sold under the lawful authority of a public servant. This ensures that only sales authorized by officials are covered under this section. For example, a government auction or a court-mandated sale of seized property falls under this law.
  3. Legal Incapacity to Purchase:
    • The law prohibits anyone from bidding on behalf of a person who is under a legal incapacity to purchase the property. This means if someone is banned by law from making the purchase, acting as a proxy for them to make the bid is illegal.
  4. False Bidding Intentions:
    • The section also applies to people who place a bid without intending to fulfill their obligations. If someone bids with no intention to pay or take ownership of the property, they can be punished under this section. This prevents fraudulent bids that could disrupt the sale process.
  5. Imprisonment:
    • The punishment includes imprisonment for up to one month. This is a short-term sentence, indicating that the crime, while punishable, is considered a relatively minor offense.
  6. Fine:
    • A fine of up to 200 rupees can also be imposed. Although the fine is relatively small, it is a deterrent to ensure that buyers or bidders act in good faith during public sales.
  7. Combination of Imprisonment and Fine:
    • In some cases, both imprisonment and a fine can be imposed if the offense is serious enough. The court has the discretion to determine whether both penalties are necessary based on the details of the case.
  8. Non-Cognizable Offense:
    • This is a non-cognizable offense, meaning that the police cannot arrest someone without a warrant. The authorities need to follow a legal process to take action against the accused, and they cannot intervene directly without court approval.
  9. Bailable Offense:
    • Offenses under this section are bailable, meaning the accused has the right to seek bail. They can be released from custody while awaiting trial, as the offense is not considered highly serious.
  10. Tried by Any Magistrate:
    • The case can be tried by any Magistrate, which means that it can be handled by lower courts without needing to escalate the matter to higher courts. This simplifies the legal proceedings for such offenses.

Examples of BNS Section 220 in Practice:

  1. Example 1:
    • A minor, who is not legally allowed to buy property, asks his elder brother to place a bid for him at a public auction for a piece of land. The elder brother knowingly places the bid on behalf of the minor, who is under legal incapacity to make the purchase. This would fall under Section 220 as an illegal purchase.
  2. Example 2:
    • A person attends an auction conducted by a public authority to sell a government-seized vehicle. He places the winning bid but has no intention of paying for the vehicle or fulfilling any obligations tied to the purchase. His actions would be considered illegal under BNS 220 because he bid without intending to honor the commitments that come with the purchase.

BNS 220 Punishment

  1. Imprisonment:
    • The convicted person can face simple imprisonment for a term that can extend up to one month. Simple imprisonment means the offender does not have to perform hard labor, but must serve time in jail.
  2. Fine:
    • A fine of up to 200 rupees can also be imposed. This monetary penalty is relatively minor, reflecting the nature of the offense as a less severe crime.

BNS 220: Simple imprisonment or fine for obstruction offensE.
BNS Section 220: Jail or fine for obstructing legal process.

BNS 220 bailable or not ?

Bailable: Offenses under Section 220 are bailable, meaning that the accused person has the right to apply for bail and can be released from custody while the trial is pending.


Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 220

SectionDescriptionImprisonmentFineCognizabilityBailabilityCourt
BNS 220Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of a public servantUp to 1 monthUp to ₹200Non-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 220

BNS Section 220 FAQs

What is BNS Section 220 about?

What is the punishment under Section 220?

Is Section 220 a bailable offense?

What does “non-cognizable” mean in Section 220?

Can someone be both fined and imprisoned under Section 220?

Yes, depending on the severity of the offense, the court can impose both imprisonment and a fine.

Who tries cases under Section 220?


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