Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter II: Of Punishments
Section 4: Punishments
In plain words
This section lists the kinds of punishment a court can give under the Sanhita.
- Death.
- Imprisonment for life.
- Imprisonment, either rigorous (with hard labour) or simple.
- Forfeiture of property.
- Fine.
- Community service, which is new in this Sanhita.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Sanhita are—
(a) Death;
(b) Imprisonment for life;
(c) Imprisonment, which is of two descriptions, namely:—
(1) Rigorous, that is, with hard labour;
(2) Simple;
(d) Forfeiture of property;
(e) Fine;
(f) Community Service.
Corresponding sections were matched by comparing the wording of both official texts, and for the IPC and BNS, also against a published correspondence table. Wording, punishments and structure often changed, so read both sections before relying on the match.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 25 August 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 4
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Central Bureau of Investigation v. Ashok Sirpal
Matter pertains to the challenge to the order passed by the High Court suspending the sentence of imprisonment and the fine imposed on the accused who was convicted for embezzlement of Rs. 46 lakhs.