What Is BNS Section 343?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 343: Fraudulent Cancellation, Destruction, etc., of Will, Authority to Adopt, or Valuable Security

Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly, or with intent to cause damage or injury to the public or to any person, cancels, destroys or defaces, or attempts to cancel, destroy or deface, or secretes or attempts to secrete any document which is or purports to be a will, or an authority to adopt a son, or any valuable security, or commits mischief in respect of such document, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 343 deals with the fraudulent cancellation, destruction, or defacement of important legal documents, highlighting the penalties for such actions.

Question & Answers

Q1: What actions are punishable under Section 343?

A1: Actions such as fraudulent cancellation, destruction, or defacement of a will, authority to adopt, or valuable security are punishable under Section 343.

Q2: What penalties can be imposed for offenses under this section?

A2: The penalties include imprisonment for life or up to seven years, along with a fine.

Q3: Does the intent behind the action matter in Section 343?

A3: Yes, the intent to cause damage or injury to the public or any person is a critical factor in determining the offense.

Q4: Can attempts to commit these acts also lead to punishment?

A4: Yes, attempts to cancel, destroy, or deface any of the specified documents are also punishable under this section.

Example

For example, if E secretly destroys a will to prevent the rightful heir from inheriting, E commits an offense under Section 343.

Summary

BNS Section 343 outlines the legal consequences of fraudulently canceling or destroying important documents, emphasizing the seriousness of such actions and the corresponding penalties.