New sections in criminal laws: Cheating is not Section 420 but 318, punishment for murder is Section 103

“After nearly 150 years, the three new criminal laws are being brought with entirely new perspectives and provisions with a purpose to eliminate the delays in the criminal justice system… we will not see any colonial influence, and they will resonate with the essence of Indian soil, at the core of these (Bills) is the protection of the constitutional rights, human rights, and the self-defence of Indian citizens,” Shah said.

The BNS has 358 sections, compared to the 511 in the IPC. Therefore, the longstanding numbering of many criminal charges listed in the IPC has changed. For instance, Section 420, which defined cheating, led to the number ‘420’ becoming a catchall and commonly used term for such crimes. It is now listed as Section 318 in the BNS. Here is a list of some major criminal charges and how they are numbered in the BNS.

1. 01

   Punishment for murder

   Previously Section 302 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

2. 02

   Attempt to murder

   Previously Section 307 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

3. 03

   Rape

   Previously Section 375 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

4. 04

   Gang rape

   Previously Section 376D in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 70 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

5. 05

   Cruelty against a married woman

   Previously Section 498A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

6. 06

   Dowry death

   Previously Section 304B in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

7. 07

   Sexual harassment

   Previously Section 354A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

8. 08

   Outraging the modesty of a woman

   Previously Section 354 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

9. 09

   Criminal intimidation

   Previously Section 503 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

10. 10

    Defamation

    Previously Section 499 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

11. 11

    Cheating

    Previously Section 420 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

12. 12

    Criminal Conspiracy

    Previously Section 120A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

13. 13

    Sedition

    Previously Section 124A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

14. 14

    Promoting enmity between different groups

    Previously Section 153A in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

15. 15

    Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration

    Previously Section 153B in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

16. 16

    Statements conducing to public mischief

    Previously Section 505 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

17. 17

    Public nuisance

    Previously Section 268 in the Indian Penal Code, the offence is now covered under Section 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.