What is the punishment under BNS Section 55?

The punishment for this specific offense is outlined under the new law as: Life Imprisonment or Imprisonment up to Seven Year(s) + Fine.

Is BNS Section 55 bailable or non-bailable?

Under the new legal framework, this specific offense is classified as a Non-bailable offense.

Is BNS Section 55 a cognizable offense?

The legal status regarding police arrest without a warrant is that this offense is Cognizable.

Which court has the jurisdiction to try cases under BNS Section 55?

Cases pertaining to this specific BNS section are triable by the Court of Session.

Can BNS Section 55 be compromised (Compoundable)?

The compoundable nature of this offense, meaning whether the parties can settle it out of court, is classified as: Non-Compoundable (Refer to BNSS 359 for exceptions).

BNS Section 55- Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023

Hello readers! Today, we are going to break down Section 55 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023. If you've been wondering what exactly this section covers and how it impacts our legal system, you're in the right place.

Bare Act Text

Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.—Whoever abets the commission of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life, shall, if that offence be not committed in consequence of the abetment, and no express provision is made under this Sanhita for the punishment of such abetment, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if any act for which the abettor is liable in consequence of the abetment, and which causes hurt to any person, is done, the abettor shall be liable to imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to fourteen years, and shall also be liable to fine. Illustration. A instigates B to murder Z. The offence is not committed. If B had murdered Z, he would have been subject to the punishment of death or imprisonment for life. Therefore, A is liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also to a fine; and if any hurt be done to Z in consequence of the abetment, he will be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, and to fine.

Procedural Details

Punishment

Life Imprisonment or Imprisonment up to Seven Year(s) + Fine

Nature of Offense

Cognizable

Bail Eligibility

Non-bailable

Compoundability

Non-Compoundable (Refer to BNSS 359 for exceptions)

Trial Court

Court of Session

Frequently Asked Questions about BNS Section 55

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.