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Introduction of BNS Section 250

This section targets individuals who knowingly accept any form of bribe, gift, or gratification in exchange for helping an offender escape justice. This could include hiding evidence, not reporting the crime, or deliberately not pursuing legal action against the guilty party. The law seeks to penalize those who obstruct justice by accepting rewards for concealing crimes.


The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 250 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 213.



What is BNS Section 250 ?

BNS Section 250 deals with the crime of taking gifts or any form of gratification to help an offender avoid legal punishment. It is a punishable offence if someone accepts or agrees to accept any kind of reward for concealing an offence, shielding a criminal from punishment, or not initiating legal proceedings against the offender.


BNS 250 in Simple Points

  1. Accepting Bribes to Conceal Crimes:
    • If someone accepts or agrees to accept money, gifts, or any other form of gratification to hide the fact that a crime has been committed, they can be prosecuted under BNS Section 2250.
    • Example: A police officer takes money from a criminal’s family to avoid arresting him. This is punishable under this section.
  2. Protecting Offenders from Legal Consequences:
    • The law applies even if someone attempts to protect an offender from being caught or avoids filing a case against them.
    • Example: A witness is offered a job by the accused’s family to not testify in court. This act is covered under BNS Section 250.
  3. Different Punishments Based on the Severity of the Original Crime:
    • The punishment for taking bribes varies depending on the severity of the offence the offender is being shielded from:
      • Death penalty offences: Up to 7 years imprisonment.
      • Life imprisonment or 10-year offences: Up to 3 years imprisonment.
      • Less severe offences: A lesser term, usually a fraction of the original sentence.
  4. Applies to Any Form of Gratification:
    • The law is not limited to cash transactions. It covers any form of reward, including gifts, services, or restitution of property.
    • Example: An official accepts free vacation trips from a criminal’s family to suppress evidence. This act would be punishable under this section.
  5. Cognizable and Bailable Offence:
    • Offences under this section are cognizable, meaning the police have the authority to arrest without a warrant. However, they are also bailable, allowing the accused to secure bail easily.

Section 250 BNS Overview

BNS 250 is a legal provision that punishes individuals who accept any form of reward (money, property, or services) to shield someone from legal punishment or help conceal a crime. It applies when a person acts in such a way to avoid prosecution or punishment for the offender, whether by hiding evidence or failing to proceed with legal action against the offender.

Detailed Explanation of 10 Key Points of BNS Section 250

  1. Definition of the Offence
    • BNS Section 250 criminalizes the act of accepting any form of gratification, including money, gifts, or property, in exchange for concealing a crime or helping an offender avoid legal punishment.
    • The offender may be hiding evidence, not reporting the crime, or taking steps to prevent legal action from being taken.
    • Example: A police officer takes ₹50,000 from a criminal’s family to avoid arresting the person who committed a robbery.
  2. Gratification and Benefits
    • The section applies to all forms of gratification, whether monetary or non-monetary. This includes gifts, services, favors, or any property that is given in exchange for concealing an offence or protecting the offender.
    • Example: An official accepts a free holiday as a gift in return for covering up a financial scam.
  3. Applicability to All Persons
    • The law applies to everyone who is involved in taking gratification to screen an offender, not just public officials. Private individuals or anyone aware of the crime who accepts bribes to protect an offender can be prosecuted.
    • Example: A witness in a criminal case is paid to change their testimony or hide the truth, thus obstructing justice.
  4. Gratification Can Be for Any Offender
    • The law does not limit the act of shielding to a particular class of offenders. It applies to anyone who offers or accepts rewards to protect an offender, irrespective of the crime committed.
    • Example: A neighbor receives money to hide information about a violent criminal living next door and not report their activities.
  5. Punishment for Severe Crimes (Section 250(a))
    • If the person is protecting an offender who committed an offence punishable with death, the person accepting the bribe can face up to 7 years of imprisonment and a fine.
    • Example: A person helps a murderer escape arrest after receiving a large sum of money, and the punishment for that act can be up to 7 years.
  6. Punishment for Life or Long-Term Imprisonment (Section 250(b))
    • If the crime being concealed is punishable with life imprisonment or a sentence extending to 10 years, the penalty for accepting the bribe is up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine.
    • Example: A criminal’s relative offers money to a government officer to stop the prosecution of a person who committed a violent crime.
  7. Punishment for Lesser Offences (Section 250(c))
    • If the offence that is being shielded is punishable with a term of imprisonment of less than 10 years, the person can face imprisonment up to one-fourth of the longest term for that crime, or a fine, or both.
    • Example: A person accepts a small amount of money to conceal a case of assault and agrees to delay legal action.
  8. Cognizable Offence
    • BNS Section 2250 is a cognizable offence, meaning the police have the authority to arrest the accused without needing a warrant. This allows for a quicker response in cases of obstruction of justice.
    • Example: The police can arrest an individual on suspicion of taking a bribe to conceal a crime without waiting for court approval.
  9. Bailable Offence
    • Despite its seriousness, offences under BNS Section 250 are bailable. This means that the accused can apply for bail and be released from custody until their trial.
    • Example: A person charged under this section can be granted bail if the court sees fit, even though they face significant criminal charges.
  10. Trial by Magistrate of the First Class
  • Cases under BNS Section 250 are triable by a Magistrate of the First Class, ensuring a fair and timely trial process in lower courts.
  • Example: If someone is arrested under this section, their trial will be conducted in the appropriate court where the case will be examined by a Magistrate of the First Class.

Examples of BNS Section 250

Example 1:

Ravi, a businessman, offers ₹1 lakh to a police officer to avoid filing a charge sheet against his friend, who was involved in a fraud case. The officer accepts the money. Both can be prosecuted under BNS Section 250.

Example 2:

An accountant in a company takes free overseas trips from a client to delay reporting financial fraud discovered during an audit. This action of accepting a reward for covering up the fraud is punishable under this section.


BNS 250 Punishment

For screening an offence punishable with death: Up to 7 years imprisonment and a fine.

For screening an offence punishable with life imprisonment or up to 10 years: Up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine.

For screening an offence punishable with less than 10 years imprisonment: Imprisonment up to one-fourth of the longest term for the original offence, or a fine, or both.


BNS 250 bailable or not ?

Yes, offences under BNS Section 250 are bailable. This means the accused has the right to obtain bail from the police or court.


Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 250

BNS SectionOffencePunishmentBailable/Non-BailableCognizable/Non-CognizableTrial by
250(a)Taking gratification to screen an offender from a crime punishable with deathImprisonment up to 7 years and fineBailableCognizableMagistrate of the first class
250(b)Taking gratification to screen an offender from a crime punishable with life imprisonment or up to 10 yearsImprisonment up to 3 years and fineBailableCognizableMagistrate of the first class
250(c)Taking gratification to screen an offender from a crime punishable with less than 10 yearsImprisonment up to one-fourth of the maximum term for the offence, or fine, or bothBailableCognizableMagistrate of the first class
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 250

BNS Section 250 FAQs

What is BNS Section 250?

BNS Section 250 makes it an offence for any person to accept or attempt to accept any form of gratification (money, gifts, or property) in exchange for concealing an offence or helping an offender avoid legal punishment. This can include actions like hiding evidence, failing to report a crime, or preventing legal action from being taken against the criminal.

What are the punishments under BNS Section 250?

The punishments for violating BNS Section 250 depend on the severity of the offence being concealed:

For offences punishable with imprisonment of less than 10 years, the punishment can be imprisonment up to one-fourth of the longest term for that offence, or a fine, or both.

For offences punishable with death, the person can be imprisoned for up to 7 years and may also face a fine.

For offences punishable with life imprisonment or up to 10 years, the penalty is up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine.

Is BNS Section 250 a bailable offence?

Yes, BNS Section 250 is a bailable offence. This means that a person charged under this section can apply for bail and may be released from custody until their trial.

Is BNS Section 250 a cognizable offence?

Yes, BNS Section 250 is a cognizable offence. This means that the police have the authority to arrest the accused without a warrant if they believe the offence has occurred.

Who has the authority to try cases under BNS Section 250?

Cases under BNS Section 250 are triable by a Magistrate of the First Class. This ensures that such cases are handled in a court with the appropriate level of authority.

Can private individuals be prosecuted under BNS Section 250?

Yes, private individuals can be prosecuted under BNS Section 250 if they accept gratification to conceal an offence or shield an offender from legal punishment. This section applies to both public officials and private individuals who engage in such conduct.


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