Introduction of Section 156 BNS
Section 156 BNS deals with situations where a public servant, responsible for guarding a State prisoner or prisoner of war, deliberately allows the prisoner to escape. The law punishes such actions with severe imprisonment and fines.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 156 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 128.
- Introduction of Section 156 BNS
- What is BNS Section 156 ?
- BNS 156 in Simple Points
- Section 156 BNS Overview
- BNS 156 Punishment
- 156 BNS bailable or non bailable ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 156
- BNS Section 156 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is BNS Section 156 ?
BNS Section 156 focuses on the serious responsibility of public servants, specifically when they allow State prisoners or prisoners of war to escape from custody. The law considers this a serious crime, with severe punishment for those found guilty.

BNS 156 in Simple Points
- Covers Public Servants:
Applies to public servants who are in charge of prisoners of war or state. - Intentional Escape Allowance:
If they intentionally allow the prisoner to escape, they are guilty of a crime. - Strict Punishments:
The punishment can be life imprisonment or up to 10 years in jail, with an additional fine. - Non-Bailable:
The crime is non-bailable, meaning the accused cannot easily get out on bail. - Tried in Higher Court:
The case is handled by the Court of Session due to its serious nature.
Section 156 BNS Overview
BNS Section 156 focuses on situations where a public servant, responsible for guarding prisoners of war or state prisoners, intentionally allows them to escape. This is a serious offense that can lead to imprisonment and fines.
BNS Section 156 :10 Key Points
- Responsibility of Public Servants:
BNS Section 156 applies to public servants, such as police officers or jail staff, who are responsible for guarding prisoners of war or state. It means they have an important duty to make sure these prisoners do not escape. - Voluntarily Letting Prisoners Escape:
If a public servant, instead of doing their duty, deliberately lets a prisoner escape, they are committing a serious crime. This section covers situations where the escape is allowed on purpose. - Prisoners Covered:
This law focuses on prisoners of war and state prisoners. Prisoners of war are usually from conflicts or wars, and state prisoners are those arrested for crimes against the state. - Severe Penalties for Offense:
The punishment for letting a prisoner escape is very strict. If a public servant is found guilty, they could face life imprisonment or imprisonment for up to 10 years. - Additional Fine:
Along with the prison sentence, the public servant can also be fined. This fine is imposed as part of the punishment for betraying their duty. - Cognizable Offense:
This is considered a cognizable offense, meaning the police can arrest the public servant without needing a warrant. This makes it easier for the authorities to act quickly in such cases. - Non-Bailable Crime:
This offense is non-bailable. This means the person accused of the crime cannot easily get out on bail. They must remain in custody while the case is heard in court. - Tried in Court of Session:
Cases under BNS Section 156 are taken very seriously and are tried in the Court of Session, which is a higher court that handles major crimes. - Non-Compoundable Offense:
This crime cannot be settled outside the court or by agreement between the parties involved. The case must go through the legal process, and there is no chance of a compromise. - Serious Breach of Trust:
Allowing a prisoner to escape intentionally is seen as a serious betrayal of the trust placed in public servants. It endangers the safety and security of the country, which is why it carries such heavy punishments.
Examples of BNS Section 156
- Example 1: A Corrupt Officer Letting a Prisoner Escape
A police officer in charge of guarding a prisoner of war accepts a bribe from the prisoner’s friends and deliberately allows the prisoner to escape. Under BNS Section 156, this officer would face life imprisonment or up to 10 years in prison, along with a fine, for betraying their duty. - Example 2: Prison Escape Planned by a Jail Superintendent
A jail superintendent who has custody of a state prisoner agrees to help the prisoner escape by leaving a door unlocked. This act of purposely allowing the prisoner to escape is covered under BNS Section 156. The superintendent could be arrested without a warrant, face up to 10 years in prison, and be fined.
BNS 156 Punishment
Imprisonment: The public servant can face life imprisonment or a sentence of up to 10 years.
Fine: A fine will also be imposed in addition to the imprisonment.

156 BNS bailable or non bailable ?
No, BNS Section 156 is non-bailable, meaning the accused does not have the right to bail easily and must go through a more complex legal process to obtain it.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 156
Points | Details |
---|---|
Offense | Public servant allowing a prisoner to escape |
Punishment | Life imprisonment or up to 10 years and fine |
Cognizability | Cognizable (can arrest without warrant) |
Bailability | Non-bailable |
Court | Court of Session |
Compoundability | Non-compoundable |
BNS Section 156 FAQs
What does BNS Section 156 cover?
It covers public servants who intentionally allow prisoners of war or state to escape from custody.
What is the punishment under Section 156?
The punishment can be life imprisonment or up to 10 years in prison along with a fine.
Is BNS 156 offense bailable?
No, it is a non-bailable offense.
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