Classification of Offences Under New Criminal Laws (2024-25)

The Indian criminal justice system underwent a major transformation on July 1, 2024, with the implementation of three new criminal laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. These laws replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act respectively.

Updated Classification of Offences

BNS SectionOffenceCognizable or Non-cognizableBailable or Non-bailableBy what Court triable
61ConspiracyAccording as the offence which is the object of conspiracy is cognizable or non-cognizableAccording as the offence which is the object of conspiracy is bailable or non-bailableCourt by which the main offence is triable
147Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of IndiaCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
189Unlawful assemblyCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
190RiotingCognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
191Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offenceAccording as the offence is cognizable or non-cognizableAccording as the offence is bailable or non-bailableCourt by which the offence is triable
101MurderCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
102Culpable homicide not amounting to murderCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
106Causing death by negligenceCognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
103Dowry deathCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
109Attempt to murderCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
110Organized crimeCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
111Acts of terrorismCognizableNon-bailableSpecial Court
112Petty organized crimeCognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
115Attempt to commit suicideCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
351Causing miscarriage without woman’s consentCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
117Voluntarily causing hurtNon-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate
118Voluntarily causing grievous hurtCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
121Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weaponsCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
124Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servantCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
137KidnappingCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
140Kidnapping for ransomCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
141Kidnapping or abducting child under ten yearsCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
63RapeCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
64Rape by police officer or public servantCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
65Rape on pregnant womanCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
66Rape in certain casesCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
70Gang rapeCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
75Sexual harassmentCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
77VoyeurismCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
78StalkingCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
303TheftCognizableNon-bailableAny Magistrate
304Theft in dwelling houseCognizableNon-bailableAny Magistrate
305Theft by clerk or servantCognizableNon-bailableAny Magistrate
309ExtortionCognizableNon-bailableAny Magistrate
310RobberyCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
311DacoityCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
316Criminal breach of trustCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
318CheatingNon-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate
319Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of propertyCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
324MischiefNon-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate
331House-trespassCognizableBailableAny Magistrate
333House-breakingCognizableNon-bailableAny Magistrate
336ForgeryNon-cognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
340Forgery of valuable securityNon-cognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
341Using forged documentsCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
355Falsification of accountsNon-cognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
178Counterfeiting coinCognizableNon-bailableCourt of Session
83Marrying again during lifetime of spouseNon-cognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
85Cohabitation caused by deceitNon-cognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
86Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone throughNon-cognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
87Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married womanNon-cognizableBailableMagistrate of the first class
84Cruelty by husband or relatives of husbandCognizableNon-bailableMagistrate of the first class
356DefamationNon-cognizableBailableCourt of Session
351Criminal intimidationNon-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate

New Categories Introduced in BNS

Terrorism and Organized Crime

The BNS has introduced specific provisions for terrorism (Section 111) and organized crime (Section 110), addressing contemporary security challenges with stringent punishments including death penalty or life imprisonment with substantial fines. authbridge+1

Petty Organized Crime

Section 112 addresses petty organized crime including activities like examination paper leaks, illegal ticket sales, and gambling syndicates, with punishment ranging from 1-7 years imprisonment. cdnbbsr.s3waas

Enhanced Women and Child Protection

Chapter V of BNS is dedicated exclusively to offences against women and children, consolidating all related provisions and introducing enhanced penalties for crimes like gang rape of minors. pib

Community Service as Punishment

Section 4 of BNS introduces community service as a new form of punishment, particularly applicable to minor offences and first-time petty theft where property value is below ₹5,000. lexisnexis

Key Procedural Changes Under BNSS

Digital Integration

  • Zero FIR: Can be filed at any police station regardless of jurisdiction newsonair
  • E-FIR: Online registration through CCTNS portal drishtiias
  • Electronic summons: Digital service of legal notices newsonair

Mandatory Timelines

The BNSS introduces strict timelines for various stages of criminal proceedings: cdnbbsr.s3waas+1

  • Investigation completion: 90 days
  • Charge sheet filing: 60 days
  • Trial completion: Expedited process with specific deadlines
  • Judgment delivery: 45 days

Trial in Absentia

Revolutionary provision allowing courts to conduct trials even when the accused absconds, preventing indefinite delays in justice delivery. authbridge

Note: This classification is based on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 which came into effect from July 1, 2024. The corresponding sections from the old IPC have been replaced with new section numbers under BNS. timesofindia.indiatimes+1

For complete and updated classification schedules, refer to the official BNSS Schedule published by the Government of India.

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/new-laws-replacing-ipc-crpc-to-come-into-effect-on-july-1/articleshow/107974501.cms
  2. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-criminal-laws-come-into-force
  3. https://authbridge.com/blog/new-criminal-laws-india-2024/
  4. https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita-2023
  5. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec0548042b1dae4950fef2bd2aafa0b9/uploads/2024/05/2024050922.pdf
  6. https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=2082757
  7. https://www.lexisnexis.in/blogs/indias-three-criminal-laws-key-elements-features/
  8. https://www.newsonair.gov.in/new-criminal-laws-bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita-2023-and-others-to-come-into-force-on-1st-july-2024/
  9. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3ae1eaa32d10b6c886981755d579fb4d8/uploads/2024/03/202403181642666092.pdf
  10. https://www.infipark.com/articles/classification-of-offences/

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