Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits
What this section does
Creates a specific offence of harbouring persons who are about to commit or have recently committed robbery or dacoity, where the harbouring is done to facilitate the crime or screen the offenders. The offence applies whether the robbery or dacoity is intended or has been committed within or outside India. A spousal exception applies.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Accused knew or had reason to believe that certain persons were about to commit or had recently committed robbery or dacoity
- Accused harboured those persons or any of them
- The harbouring was with the intention of facilitating the commission of such robbery or dacoity, or of screening them from punishment
- The accused is not the spouse of the offender
Practitioner note
Punishment is mandatory rigorous imprisonment (not simple). The Explanation makes it immaterial whether the robbery or dacoity was intended or committed within or outside India. Spousal exception applies.
Derived from IPC s.216A.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 254, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 254 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.