What Is BNS Section 250?

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 250: Taking Gift, etc., to Screen an Offender from Punishment

Whoever accepts or attempts to obtain, or agrees to accept, any gratification for himself or any other person, or any restitution of property to himself or any other person, in consideration of his concealing an offence or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment shall,

• (a) if the offence is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine;
• (b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine;
• (c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both.

Brief Detail

BNS Section 250 criminalizes the acceptance of bribes or gifts to hide or shield an offender from punishment, aiming to maintain the integrity of the legal process.

Question & Answers

Q1: What are the penalties for accepting a gift to screen an offender under Section 250?

A1: Penalties vary from imprisonment for up to seven years, depending on the severity of the offence, along with potential fines.

Example

Example Scenario:

If C offers D money to conceal information about a crime committed by C, D may face severe penalties under this section.

Summary

BNS Section 250 seeks to prevent corruption in the legal system by imposing heavy penalties on those who accept gifts or bribes to shield offenders from justice.