IPC 171D → BNS 172: Personation (Election)

Quick Summary: IPC 171D vs BNS 172

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. IPC 171D (Personation (Election)) belongs to the IPC's offences relating to public servants and lawful authority — conduct by or against public servants, election offences and contempt of official authority. The corruption-type provisions sit alongside the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the BNS renumbers the residual offence covering personation (election) as BNS 172.

What did IPC 171D cover?

IPC 171D dealt with personation (election) — personation at elections. Until 30 June 2024, every FIR and criminal trial for this offence was registered and prosecuted under this provision of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

BNS 172: What changed in the new law?

No major change. From 1 July 2024, new complaints relating to personation (election) are filed under BNS Section 172, while cases registered earlier continue under the old IPC provision as per the saving clause of the BNS.

Punishment under BNS 172

N/A - Definition

Practical implications for advocates, police & citizens

• Advocates: For personation (election), check whether the conduct is prosecuted under BNS 172 or a special statute, and whether prior sanction is required.
• Police officers: Identify the precise duty obstructed or benefit obtained in the personation (election) matter and cite BNS 172 in the new FIR.
• Law students & citizens: Giving or taking illegal gratification, impersonating an official, or obstructing public duty — the kind of conduct behind personation (election) — all fall in this group.