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Introduction of Section 121 BNS

BNS Section 121 deals with the offense of voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to a public servant to prevent them from performing their duties or as a consequence of them performing their duties. This section ensures that public servants can perform their roles without fear of physical harm or intimidation.


The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 121(1) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 332.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 121(2) replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 333.



What is BNS Section 121 ?

BNS Section 121 outlines the offense of causing harm to public servants to prevent or deter them from carrying out their lawful duties. It covers both hurt and grievous hurt, with varying degrees of punishment based on the severity of the injury inflicted. It aims to protect public servants from being attacked for doing their job.

Protecting public servants from harm under BNS 121
BNS 121 ensures safety for public servants on duty

BNS 121(1) in Simple Points

BNS Section 121(1) – 5 Key Points

  1. Voluntarily Causing Hurt to Public Servant
    If someone intentionally causes hurt to a public servant while they are performing their duties or to prevent them from continuing their work, they can be charged under this section. Hurt here refers to any form of physical injury inflicted intentionally.
  2. Punishment
    The punishment for causing hurt to a public servant under BNS 121(1) is imprisonment of up to 5 years, or a fine, or both. The punishment reflects the importance of protecting public officials while they are performing their legal duties.
  3. Protection Against Interference
    The law specifically protects public servants from being attacked or threatened to prevent them from carrying out their duties. This protection ensures that public servants can continue to perform their work without fear of violence.
  4. Non-Bailable Offense
    Offenses under this section are non-bailable. This means that the accused cannot easily secure bail and will need to go through a court process to apply for it.
  5. Cognizable Offense
    The offense is cognizable, meaning the police can arrest the accused without a warrant. This makes it easier for law enforcement to act quickly when a public servant is attacked.

BNS Section 121(2) – 5 Key Points

  1. Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt to Public Servant
    Under BNS Section 121(2), if someone causes grievous hurt to a public servant, which refers to more severe physical injuries, they are subject to a higher level of punishment. Grievous hurt includes injuries that cause long-term damage or serious harm.
  2. Punishment for Grievous Hurt
    The punishment for grievous hurt under this section is more severe than for simple hurt. It includes a minimum imprisonment term of 1 year, which can extend up to 10 years. Additionally, the offender is also liable to pay a fine.
  3. Intention to Deter or Retaliate
    The section covers cases where grievous hurt is caused either to prevent a public servant from performing their duty or in retaliation for actions they took while discharging their duty. This ensures that public servants are protected even after they have completed a task.
  4. Non-Bailable Offense
    Similar to Section 121(1), offenses under this sub-section are non-bailable, meaning the accused cannot easily be released on bail and must go through a legal process to apply for it.
  5. Tried by Court of Session
    Cases involving grievous hurt under BNS 121(2) are triable by the Court of Session, reflecting the seriousness of the offense. The Court of Session handles more serious criminal cases, ensuring that severe injuries to public servants are treated with appropriate gravity.

Section 121 BNS Overview

BNS Section 121 deals with harming public servants to stop them from doing their duties. It includes both minor and serious injuries, with different punishments depending on the harm caused. This section is meant to protect public servants from attacks while doing their jobs.

Section 121 BNS Overview :10 Key Points

  1. Causing Hurt to a Public Servant
    The law makes it a crime to intentionally cause harm to a public servant to stop them from doing their job.
  2. Preventing Duties
    It applies when someone tries to prevent or stop a public servant from performing their official duties.
  3. Retaliation for Duties
    If someone harms a public servant in response to something they did while carrying out their job, this section also applies.
  4. Punishment for Hurt
    If the hurt caused is not severe, the person can be punished with imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine, or both.
  5. Grievous Hurt Explained
    If the injury caused is serious (grievous hurt), the punishment increases significantly.
  6. Minimum Punishment for Grievous Hurt
    For grievous hurt, the minimum punishment is 1 year in prison, but it can go up to 10 years, with a fine also imposed.
  7. Cognizable Offense
    Police can arrest the offender without a warrant because these offenses are cognizable.
  8. Non-Bailable Offense
    Offenses under this section are non-bailable, meaning the accused must go through a court process to apply for bail.
  9. Triable by Magistrate or Court of Session
    Less severe offenses (hurt) are tried by a Magistrate, while more severe cases (grievous hurt) go to the Court of Session.
  10. Protection Against Retaliation
    This section ensures public servants are protected from retaliation for doing their jobs.

Example 1:

A police officer is trying to control a protest and asks a group of people to disperse. One person from the crowd, angered by the officer’s actions, physically attacks the officer, causing minor injuries. This attack is an attempt to stop the officer from doing their job. Under BNS Section 121(1), the person can be charged with voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant, which could lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine, or both.

Example 2:

A tax officer visits a business to collect overdue taxes. In retaliation for the officer’s actions, the business owner severely injures the officer, breaking his arm. This injury is intended to prevent the officer from doing his duty and as revenge for the tax collection. Under BNS Section 121(2), the business owner can be charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant, facing imprisonment for at least 1 year, which could extend up to 10 years, along with a fine.


BNS 121 Punishment

For Hurt (Section 121(1)): Imprisonment of up to 5 years, or a fine, or both

.For Grievous Hurt (Section 121(2)): Imprisonment of not less than 1 year, but can extend to 10 years, along with a fine.


Protecting public servants from harm under BNS 121
BNS 121 punishment for hurt and grievous hurt

BNS 121 bailable or not ?

Non-bailable: Both hurt and grievous hurt under BNS Section 121 are non-bailable offenses, meaning the accused cannot easily secure bail without the court’s intervention.


Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 121

BNS SectionOffensePunishmentCognizable/BailableCourt
121(1)Voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servantImprisonment up to 5 years, or fine, or bothCognizable, Non-bailableMagistrate of the first class
121(2)Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servantImprisonment not less than 1 year, up to 10 years, and fineCognizable, Non-bailableCourt of Session
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 121

BNS Section 121 FAQs

What is BNS Section 2121 about?

What is the punishment under Section 121(1)?

What is the punishment under Section 121(2)?

The punishment for causing grievous hurt is a minimum of 1 year in prison, which can extend to 10 years, along with a fine.

Is an offense under Section 121 bailable?

Who tries cases under Section 121?


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