Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman
What this section does
Punishes a civilian who wears military garb or carries a military token resembling those used by soldiers, sailors, or airmen of the Government of India, with the intention of being believed to be such a person. The offence targets impersonation of armed forces personnel.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 3 months, or fine which may extend to Rs. 2,000, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused is not a soldier, sailor, or airman in the Army, Naval, or Air service of the Government of India
- The accused wore any garb or carried any token resembling that used by such a soldier, sailor, or airman
- The accused did so with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, sailor, or airman
Derived from IPC s.140.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 168, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 168 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.