Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Replacement of the Indian Penal Code
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and came into force from July 1, 2024. It is one of three landmark criminal law reform statutes enacted in 2023, the others being the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (replacing CrPC, 1973) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (replacing the Indian Evidence Act, 1872).
- Section 281 (BNS) — Rash driving or riding on a public way: Punishes whoever drives any vehicle on a public way in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life; penalty: imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fine up to ₹1,000.
- Section 125 (BNS) — Act endangering life or personal safety of others: A broader provision covering any act that creates danger to life or personal safety.
- For deaths caused by rash or negligent driving, Section 106 (BNS) — causing death by negligence — applies; punishment up to 5 years, or up to 10 years if the offender flees the scene without reporting the accident to a police officer.
- The BNS introduced an explicit aggravated penalty for hit-and-run scenarios, significantly increasing accountability compared to the corresponding provision in the old IPC.
● Tracked since February 11, 2026 · last seen July 06, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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