Punishment for bribery
What this section does
This section prescribes punishment for the offence of bribery at elections. The general punishment is imprisonment and/or fine, but where bribery takes the form of 'treating' (providing food, drink, entertainment, or provision), only a fine may be imposed.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description for a term up to one year, or fine, or both; bribery by treating is punishable with fine only.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Practitioner note
Bribery by 'treating' (food, drink, entertainment, or provision) attracts only a fine and no imprisonment. The definition of bribery is contained in a separate section; this section only prescribes punishment.
Derived from IPC s.171E.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 173, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 173 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.