IPC to BNS
IPC Section 141 in BNS: Section 189(1)
Section 141 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Unlawful assembly) corresponds to Section 189(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Last updated 9 October 2026
IPC 141 and BNS 189(1) at a glance
| IPC (old) | BNS (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 141 | 189(1) |
| Heading | Unlawful assembly | Unlawful assembly |
| Punishment | Definition only. Being a member is punished under IPC Section 143: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both. | Definition only. Being a member is punished under BNS Section 189(2): imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both. |
| Mapping | Direct equivalent | |
What IPC Section 141 covered
Defines an unlawful assembly: an assembly of five or more persons whose common object is one of the listed purposes, such as overawing the Government by criminal force, resisting the execution of law, or committing mischief, criminal trespass or another offence.
What changed in BNS Section 189(1)
IPC Sections 141 to 145, 150, 151, 157 and 158 are gathered into the sub-sections of BNS Section 189. The definition itself is the same.
Punishment: IPC 141 compared with BNS 189(1)
- Under IPC Section 141
- Definition only. Being a member is punished under IPC Section 143: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.
- Under BNS Section 189(1)
- Definition only. Being a member is punished under BNS Section 189(2): imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.
Which law applies: IPC or BNS?
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. An offence committed before that date continues to be investigated, tried and punished under the IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.
Read the full text of both provisions before you cite them. The official bare acts are published on India Code.
IPC 141: common questions
What is the new section for IPC 141?
IPC Section 141 (Unlawful assembly) corresponds to Section 189(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
What is the punishment under BNS Section 189(1)?
Definition only. Being a member is punished under BNS Section 189(2): imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.
Does IPC Section 141 still apply to older cases?
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. An offence committed before that date continues to be investigated, tried and punished under the IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.
Related IPC sections
- IPC 124A to BNS 152 · Sedition
- IPC 143 to BNS 189(2) · Unlawful assembly member
- IPC 147 to BNS 191(2) · Rioting
- IPC 148 to BNS 191(3) · Armed rioting
- IPC 149 to BNS 190 · Common object
- IPC 153A to BNS 196 · Promoting enmity
- IPC 295A to BNS 299 · Outraging religious feelings
- IPC 201 to BNS 238 · Destroying evidence
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Not legal advice. This comparison is a research starting point. A mapped section is not proof that two provisions are identical. Read both bare acts, check commencement and any later amendment, and have a qualified advocate review anything you intend to rely on. Settl is not a law firm.