Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment
What this section does
This section punishes any person who voluntarily conceals—by act or illegal omission—the existence of a design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment, or makes a false representation about such design, intending or knowing it likely to facilitate that offence. The punishment is a fraction of the maximum term for the principal offence, varying with whether the offence is ultimately committed.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- If the offence is committed: imprisonment of the description provided for the offence up to one-fourth of the longest term, or fine as provided, or both; if the offence is not committed: up to one-eighth of the longest term, or fine as provided, or both.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- Depends
- Bailable
- Depends
- Compoundable
- Depends
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused voluntarily concealed the existence of a design to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment, or made a false representation about such design
- Concealment was by any act or illegal omission
- The accused intended to facilitate, or knew it was likely to facilitate, the commission of that offence
Practitioner note
Unlike sections 58 and 59, section 60 does not expressly mention encryption or information-hiding tools as modes of concealment. The applicable punishment fractions (one-fourth / one-eighth) are calculated against the longest term prescribed for the principal offence.
Derived from IPC s.120.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 60, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 60 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.