Verified 2025 — BNS Bare Act

IPC 429 → BNS 325: Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)

IPC Section 429 (Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)) under the old Indian Penal Code 1860 is now covered under Section 325 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, effective from 1 July 2024.

Old Law — IPC 1860

429

Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)

Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees

New Law — BNS 2023

325

Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)

Punishment / Liability

Same - Up to 5 years

Key Change / Note

Merged into Section 325 (General animal protection)

Facing a case under BNS 325?

Connect with a verified criminal lawyer for bail, FIR & defence under BNS 325.

What changed for IPC 429?

IPC 429 (Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)) — mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees — now maps to BNS Section 325. Key change: Merged into Section 325 (General animal protection). Punishment under BNS 325: Same - Up to 5 years.

IPC 429 (now BNS 325): Mischief by Killing or Maiming Cattle & Animals

IPC Section 429 punishes mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless cattle (elephants, horses, oxen, etc.) or any animal of the value of fifty rupees or more. From 1 July 2024 this is covered by Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

Punishment under BNS 325 (same as IPC 429)

Imprisonment up to 5 years, or fine, or both.

What changed from IPC to BNS?

The BNS consolidated the old IPC animal-mischief provisions (IPC 428 and 429, which split the offence by the animal's value) into a single general provision — BNS 325 — for mischief by killing or maiming any animal. The maximum punishment of 5 years is retained. New FIRs cite BNS 325.

Practical notes

Advocates & police: BNS 325 applies to the act of killing or maiming an animal without the older value-based distinctions — plead the act and the resulting loss.
Refer to the official BNS bare act for the exact text; consult a lawyer for specifics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 429?

IPC Section 429 (Mischief (Cattle/50Rs)) is now covered under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, effective from 1 July 2024.

What is the punishment under BNS 325?

Same - Up to 5 years

What is the key difference between IPC 429 and BNS 325?

Merged into Section 325 (General animal protection)

Is IPC 429 still valid in India?

No. The Indian Penal Code 1860 was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 on 1 July 2024. The mischief (cattle/50rs) offence earlier in IPC 429 is now governed by BNS 325 — pending IPC 429 cases continue, but new FIRs cite BNS 325.

Case Law on Section 429

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