Verified 2025 — BNS Bare Act

IPC 433 → BNS 326(4): Mischief (Lighthouse)

IPC Section 433 (Mischief (Lighthouse)) under the old Indian Penal Code 1860 is now covered under Section 326(4) of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, effective from 1 July 2024.

Old Law — IPC 1860

433

Mischief (Lighthouse)

Mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a lighthouse or sea-mark

New Law — BNS 2023

326(4)

Mischief (Lighthouse)

Punishment / Liability

Same - Up to 7 years

Key Change / Note

No major change

Facing a case under BNS 326(4)?

Connect with a verified criminal lawyer for bail, FIR & defence under BNS 326(4).

What changed for IPC 433?

IPC 433 (Mischief (Lighthouse)) — mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a lighthouse or sea-mark — now maps to BNS Section 326(4). Key change: No major change. Punishment under BNS 326(4): Same - Up to 7 years.

Quick Summary: IPC 433 vs BNS 326(4)

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. IPC 433 (Mischief (Lighthouse)) is one of the IPC's offences against property — theft, extortion, robbery, dacoity, criminal breach of trust, cheating, mischief and criminal trespass. The BNS keeps this structure and adds a distinct provision for snatching, renumbering mischief (lighthouse) as BNS 326(4).

What did IPC 433 cover?

IPC 433 dealt with mischief (lighthouse) — mischief by destroying, moving or rendering less useful a lighthouse or sea-mark. 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 326(4): What changed in the new law?

No major change. From 1 July 2024, new complaints relating to mischief (lighthouse) are filed under BNS Section 326(4), while cases registered earlier continue under the old IPC provision as per the saving clause of the BNS.

Punishment under BNS 326(4)

Same - Up to 7 years

Practical implications for advocates, police & citizens

Advocates: For mischief (lighthouse), the dividing lines — theft versus extortion, cheating versus breach of trust — decide the charge; confirm the BNS 326(4) mapping before drafting.
Police officers: Establish dishonest intention and the manner of taking; a new mischief (lighthouse) FIR cites BNS 326(4).
Law students & citizens: With mischief (lighthouse), value, the manner of taking and any force used determine which property offence applies and how serious it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 433?

IPC Section 433 (Mischief (Lighthouse)) is now covered under Section 326(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, effective from 1 July 2024.

What is the punishment under BNS 326(4)?

Same - Up to 7 years

What is the key difference between IPC 433 and BNS 326(4)?

No major change

Is IPC 433 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 (lighthouse) offence earlier in IPC 433 is now governed by BNS 326(4) — pending IPC 433 cases continue, but new FIRs cite BNS 326(4).