Introduction of BNS Section 61
BNS Section 61 deals with the concept of criminal conspiracy, defining it as an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act or to achieve a legal act through illegal means. This section also outlines the legal consequences for those involved in such conspiracies, specifying different levels of punishment based on the severity of the intended crime.
- Introduction of BNS Section 61
- What is section 61 of BNS ?
- BNS Section 61 in Simple Points
- Section 61 BNS Overview
- BNS 61 Punishment
- BNS 61 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 61
- BNS Section 61 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is section 61 of BNS ?
Section 61 BNS criminal conspiracy as an agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal act or achieve a legal act through illegal means. The law states that a conspiracy becomes criminal only when some action is taken to pursue the agreed illegal goal. The section also differentiates between conspiracies based on the seriousness of the crime involved.

BNS Section 61 in Simple Points
BNS Section 61 explains the crime of criminal conspiracy. It says that if two or more people make a plan to commit a crime together, they can be punished, even if they have not carried out the crime yet. The punishment depends on how serious the planned crime is, and it can include jail time or a fine.
Important Key Points
Criminal Conspiracy Defined:
- When two or more persons agree to commit an illegal act or a legal act through illegal means, this is considered a criminal conspiracy.
Action Required:
- The conspiracy becomes criminal only if some action is taken by one or more people to achieve the goal of the agreement.
Severity-Based Punishment:
- The punishment varies depending on whether the conspiracy involves a serious crime (like one punishable by death or life imprisonment) or a less serious crime.
Legal Consequences for Parties:
- All parties involved in the conspiracy can be punished, with penalties reflecting the severity of the intended crime.
Ultimate and Incidental Objectives:
- It doesn’t matter if the illegal act is the main goal or just part of achieving another objective; involvement in the conspiracy is punishable.
Section 61 BNS Overview
BNS Section 61 is about criminal conspiracy. It means when two or more people agree to do something illegal or to do something legal but in an illegal way. This agreement to break the law is considered a crime, even if the crime itself has not yet happened.
BNS Section 61: 10 Key Points
- What is a Criminal Conspiracy?
- A criminal conspiracy happens when two or more people agree to do something illegal or to do something legal in an illegal way. It is the act of planning together to break the law.
- Agreement is Important
- The main part of a criminal conspiracy is the agreement. If two or more people agree to commit a crime, even if they do not actually do it, the agreement itself is a crime.
- Need for Action
- For the conspiracy to be considered a crime, at least one person involved in the agreement must take some action to move the plan forward. It could be any small step toward committing the crime.
- Types of Conspiracy
- BNS Section 61 talks about two types of conspiracies: one for serious crimes like murder or crimes that can lead to life imprisonment, and the other for less serious crimes.
- Serious Conspiracies
- If the conspiracy is to commit a very serious crime, the punishment is severe. The law treats this kind of conspiracy just like helping or abetting in the crime itself.
- Punishment for Serious Conspiracies
- For serious conspiracies, the punishment is the same as for the crime that was planned. This could mean the death penalty, life imprisonment, or long-term imprisonment, depending on the crime.
- Less Serious Conspiracies
- If the conspiracy is for a less serious crime, the punishment is lighter. It might include imprisonment for up to six months, a fine, or both.
- Cognizable and Non-Cognizable Offences
- Whether the police can arrest without a warrant (cognizable) or need a warrant (non-cognizable) depends on the seriousness of the crime that was being planned.
- Bailable and Non-Bailable
- If the planned crime is very serious, the conspiracy is usually non-bailable, meaning you cannot easily get out on bail. For less serious crimes, the conspiracy is bailable.
- Where is the Case Tried?
- The case is usually tried in the same court that would handle the main crime that was planned. For serious crimes, higher courts handle it, while for less serious crimes, it is tried in a lower court, like a Magistrate’s court.
BNS 61 Punishment
Imprisonment:
- For serious conspiracies (like those leading to death, life imprisonment, or rigorous imprisonment for two years or more), the punishment is as severe as if the person had directly helped commit the crime.
- For less serious conspiracies, the imprisonment can be up to six months.
Fine:
- In less serious cases, the punishment might include a fine instead of or along with imprisonment.

BNS 61 bailable or not ?
Whether the offence under BNS Section 61 is bailable or non-bailable depends on the nature of the crime that is the object of the conspiracy. If the crime is serious (cognizable and non-bailable), the conspiracy is also non-bailable. For less serious crimes, it is bailable.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 61
Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable or Non-cognizable | Bailable or Non-bailable | By What Court Triable |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
61(a) | Criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or more. | Same as for abetment of the offence which is the object of the conspiracy. | Cognizable or Non-cognizable, depending on the offence. | Bailable or Non-bailable, depending on the offence. | Court by which abetment of the offence is triable. |
61(b) | Any other criminal conspiracy. | Imprisonment for up to six months, or a fine, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Magistrate of the first class. |
BNS Section 61 FAQs
What is a criminal conspiracy under BNS Section 61?
A criminal conspiracy is when two or more people agree to commit an illegal act or achieve a legal act through illegal means.
Does a conspiracy become criminal automatically?
No, the conspiracy becomes criminal only when some action is taken to pursue the illegal goal.
What is the BNS section 61 punishment for being part of a criminal conspiracy?
The punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime: for serious crimes, it’s the same as abetment; for less serious crimes, up to six months of imprisonment or a fine.
BNS Section 61 criminal conspiracy bailable?
It depends on the crime involved in the conspiracy. For serious crimes, it’s non-bailable; for less serious crimes, it’s bailable.
What kind of acts can be part of a criminal conspiracy?
The acts can be illegal themselves or legal acts done through illegal means.
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