The Legal Lexicon

Decoding the language of the new Indian Criminal Laws. A comparative reference for the transition from IPC to BNS.

C
Community Service Punishment

IPC 1860 (Old)

Not recognized as a formal punishment. Sentences were limited to imprisonment, fine, or forfeiture of property.

BNS 2023 (New)

Introduced as a specific punishment for petty offenses (e.g., defamation, small theft). Aims to reduce prison overcrowding and promote rehabilitation.

Ref: BNS Section 4(f)
Cyber Crime (Organized) Offense

IPC 1860 (Old)

Dealt with disjointedly under the IT Act, 2000. No specific "organized" classification within the penal code.

BNS 2023 (New)

Explicitly included under the definition of "Organized Crime". Use of cyber means by a syndicate now attracts stricter bail conditions and penalties.

Ref: BNS Section 111
E
Electronic Evidence Procedure

Evidence Act 1872 (Old)

Secondary evidence. Required mandatory Section 65B certificate for admissibility.

BSA 2023 (New)

Classified as "Primary Evidence" (Document). Includes semiconductor memory, smartphone logs, and server records.

Ref: BSA Section 57
M
Mob Lynching Offense

IPC 1860 (Old)

No specific provision. Treated as murder (S. 302) or unlawful assembly.

BNS 2023 (New)

Specific offense: Murder by a group of 5 or more on grounds of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief. Punishable with death.

Ref: BNS Section 103(2)
S
Sedition (Rajdroh) Constitutional

IPC 1860 (Old)

Section 124A. Criminalized bringing hatred or contempt towards the "Government established by law".

BNS 2023 (New)

Repealed as "Sedition". Replaced by "Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India" (Deshdroh). Focus shifts from government to the nation.

Ref: BNS Section 152