Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Cyber Crimes - Vaishali Bhagwat, Advocate

BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 w.e.f 1st July 2024

A quick glance at the provisions relating to cyber crimes in the Bharatiya Nyays Sanhita 2023 (BNS):

1. Sexual Harassment

Section 75. (1) A man committing any of the following acts:—

(i) physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures; or
(ii) a demand or request for sexual favours; or
(iii) showing pornography against the will of a woman; or
(iv) making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment.

Old Section 354A

2. Voyeurism

Section 77. Whoever watches, or captures the image of a woman engaging in a private act...

Old Section 354C

3. Stalking

Section 78. (1) Any man who—

(i) follows a woman and contacts, or attempts to contact such woman...
(ii) monitors the use by a woman of the internet, e-mail or any other form of electronic communication

Old Section 354D

4. Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman.

Section 79. Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman...

Old Section 509

5. Organised crime.

Section 111(1) Any continuing unlawful activity including...

New Section

6. Petty organised crime

Section 112. (1) Whoever, being a member of a group or gang...

New Section

7. Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Section 152. Whoever, purposely or knowingly...

New Section

8. Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony

Section 196. (1) Whoever—

Old Section 153A

9. Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.

Section 197. (1) Whoever...

Old Section 153D

10. Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury.

Section 201. Whoever, being a public servant...

Old Section 167

11. Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding.

Section 206. Whoever absconds...

Old Section 172

12. Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it.

Section 210. Whoever, being legally bound...

Old Section 175

13. Fabricating false evidence.

Section 228. Whoever causes any circumstance to exist...

Old Section 192

14. Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence

Section 241. Whoever secretes or destroys...

Old Section 204

15. Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc.

Section 294. (1) For the purposes...

Old Section 292

16. Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Section 299...

Old Section 295A

17. Making a false document.

Section 335...

Old Section 464

18. Forgery.

Section 336...

Old Section 463

19. Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.

Section 337...

Old Section 466

20. Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine.

Section 339...

Old Section 474

21. Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine.

Section 340...

Old Section 470,471

22. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338, or possessing counterfeit marked material.

Section 342...

Old Section 475

23. Falsification of accounts.

Section 344...

Old Section 477A

24. Statements conducing to public mischief.

Section 353...

Old Section 505

25. Defamation

Section 356...

Old Section 499

Cyber Crime Under BNS Explained with Key Provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita