Introduction to Section 33 BNSS
Section 33 BNSS says that every person must inform the police or Magistrate if they know that a serious crime has happened or is about to happen. The section lists specific crimes such as terrorism, riots, murder attempts, and others that must be reported immediately. If someone knows about such a crime and doesn’t inform the authorities, they must have a valid excuse, or they could face legal action themselves.
What is BNSS Section 33 ?
BNSS Section 33 means that if you know about a serious crime or someone planning a serious crime, you must report it to the police or Magistrate immediately. You cannot ignore it. If you do not inform and you don’t have a good reason, the law may take action against you too.
BNSS Section of 33 in Simple Points
1. Duty to Inform
BNSS Section 33 puts a legal responsibility on every person. If you see or know that a serious crime has happened, or someone is planning to commit one, you must inform the nearest police officer or Magistrate. This information should be given without delay. It is not optional—it’s your duty as a citizen.
2. Covers Serious Crimes Only
This section doesn’t apply to all crimes. It only applies to certain serious offences which are clearly listed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include crimes like:
- Waging war against the country
- Rioting
- Kidnapping
- Dowry death
- Murder attempts
- Human trafficking
- Criminal conspiracy for dangerous crimes
Such offences can harm society or national safety, which is why reporting them is so important.
3. No Excuse Without Reason
If someone fails to report the crime, they must have a reasonable and acceptable excuse. For example, being seriously ill or under life threat might be valid excuses. But just ignoring the situation, fear of involvement, or laziness will not be accepted.
If there is no valid excuse, the person who failed to inform can also be punished under the law.
4. Even Plans Must Be Reported
This section applies not only when a crime has already happened, but also when a crime is being planned or is about to happen. If you hear someone talking about planting a bomb, attacking someone, or starting a riot—you are legally required to report the intention or plan too.
Stopping the crime before it happens is the goal here.
5. Includes Crimes Outside India
Even if a person knows about a crime that was committed outside India, this law still applies—if that act would be considered a crime in India. For example, if someone killed a person abroad, and you are aware of it, you must inform Indian authorities, because murder is also a crime in India.
Section 33 of BNSS Overview
BNSS Section 33 places a legal duty on every citizen to inform the police or Magistrate if they are aware of the commission or planning of certain serious crimes. If a person knows about such crimes and fails to inform the authorities without a valid excuse, they may be held responsible under the law.
BNSS Section 33 – Explanation in 10 Key Points
1. Duty to Report Specific Crimes
Under this section, every person has a legal responsibility to report if they come to know about the commission (happening) or planning of any of the listed serious offences. These offences include things like terrorism, rioting, kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, attempt to murder, etc. This duty applies regardless of whether the person is directly involved or not. Simply knowing about such crimes creates a duty to inform.
Example: If a shopkeeper hears from a neighbor that a group is planning to cause a riot in the market, the shopkeeper must inform the police.
2. Includes Intention to Commit a Crime
The law doesn’t only apply after a crime is committed—it also applies when someone is just planning or intending to commit such a crime. If a person is aware of such intentions or plans, they must report it immediately. This helps prevent crimes before they happen, which is a proactive approach to maintaining law and order.
Example: If someone hears their friend talking about joining a terror group or planning a robbery, they must report this to the police.
3. No Reasonable Excuse Allowed (Unless Proven)
If a person fails to report a crime or the intention to commit it, they must have a strong and valid reason for not doing so. And it is their responsibility to prove that reason in court if required. This means the law does not accept ignorance or fear as an automatic excuse unless it is properly explained and accepted.
Example: If a person didn’t report a planned murder because they were afraid of the criminal, they must explain this fear and prove it was reasonable.
4. List of Sections Included
Section 33 includes a specific list of criminal sections that are covered under this duty. These sections relate to serious crimes like:
- Waging war against the country (Sec. 103–105)
- Assaulting public servants (Sec. 111–113)
- Rioting and unlawful assemblies (Sec. 140–144, 147–154)
- Misleading legal procedures (Sec. 178–182)
- Hiding bodies and evidence (Sec. 274–280)
- Attempt to murder (Sec. 307)
- Causing death by negligence (Sec. 309–312)
- Dowry death-related actions (Sec. 316(5))
- Causing grievous hurt (Sec. 326–328)
- And interfering with legal proceedings (Sec. 331–332)
These are crimes that harm society seriously, so they are given special attention.
Note: You don’t need to remember section numbers, but if the crime is very serious and harms people or the country, assume it must be reported.
5. Reporting Must Be Immediate
The law clearly says the information must be given “forthwith,” which means without any delay. Even a few hours of delay could cause harm. The goal is to enable authorities to take fast action and prevent the crime or catch the criminal quickly.
Example: If someone hears of a planned bomb blast, they cannot wait until the next day—they must report it immediately.
6. Applies Even if Crime Happens Outside India
This law is not limited to crimes happening only inside India. If a person becomes aware of a crime that took place outside India, and if that act would be considered a crime if committed in India, the duty to report still exists. This keeps the law applicable globally for Indian citizens.
Example: If an Indian citizen living abroad learns of a human trafficking ring operating against Indians, they must report it to Indian authorities.
7. No Need to Be an Eyewitness
A person does not need to see the crime with their own eyes. Even if they hear about it from someone else, or read about a credible threat in messages, or get suspicious from conversations, they must inform the authorities. The law recognizes indirect knowledge too.
Example: If someone finds suspicious messages about a planned crime on a friend’s phone, even if they didn’t see the crime, they must inform the police.
8. Protecting Society Through Early Action
The law is designed not just to punish, but to prevent crime. By encouraging people to report crime or criminal plans early, it gives the government and police a chance to act before damage is done. This helps protect society, save lives, and stop losses.
Example: Reporting plans of a kidnapping could save a child’s life. Early reporting leads to early rescue.
9. Legal Consequences for Not Reporting
If someone fails to report and doesn’t have a valid reason, they could be charged with an offence themselves. The law treats silence in serious matters as dangerous, especially when it could have prevented a crime. This shows that being silent can be a crime too in some situations.
Example: If a person doesn’t report a known murder plan and the crime happens, they might also face legal action for failing their legal duty.
10. Public Role in Supporting Justice
This section reflects the idea that law and order is a shared responsibility. It’s not just up to the police or government—citizens also play a key role. By making reporting a legal duty, the law helps create a society where everyone is alert, responsible, and protective of others.
Conclusion: By participating in crime prevention, citizens help keep their communities safer and uphold the values of justice and humanity.
Examples of BNSS Section 33
Example 1:
Ravi hears that his neighbor is planning to set fire to a government office during a protest. Even though the crime hasn’t happened yet, Ravi must report this immediately to the police or Magistrate. If he does not, he could also get into legal trouble under BNSS Section 33.
Example 2:
Neha sees someone hiding a dead body in the forest. She realizes it could be part of a murder case. Under BNSS Section 33, Neha is legally required to inform the police about this crime. If she keeps silent without a strong reason, she might face punishment too.
Section 33 of BNSS Short Information
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | BNSS Section 33 |
| Title | Public to Give Information of Certain Offences |
| Who is Responsible | Every person who is aware of the crime or planning of crime |
| Type of Crimes Covered | Serious offences like waging war, rioting, kidnapping, murder attempt, dowry death, etc. (specific sections mentioned) |
| When to Report | Immediately (without delay) |
| Whom to Inform | Nearest Police Officer or Magistrate |
| What If Not Reported? | Person must have a reasonable excuse or may face legal consequences |
| Crime Location | Applies even if the crime was committed outside India |
| Includes Planning Stage | Yes, even knowledge of intention to commit the crime must be reported |
| Purpose of the Section | To involve citizens in crime prevention and protect society |
BNSS Section 33 FAQs
BNSS 33
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