IPC to BNS
IPC Section 304B in BNS: Section 80
Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Dowry death) corresponds to Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Last updated 9 October 2026
IPC 304B and BNS 80 at a glance
| IPC (old) | BNS (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 304B | 80 |
| Heading | Dowry death | Dowry death |
| Punishment | Imprisonment of not less than 7 years, which may extend to imprisonment for life. | Imprisonment of not less than 7 years, which may extend to imprisonment for life. |
| Mapping | Direct equivalent | |
What IPC Section 304B covered
Applies where a woman dies of burns or bodily injury, or otherwise than under normal circumstances, within seven years of marriage, and it is shown that soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relative in connection with a demand for dowry.
What changed in BNS Section 80
The offence and punishment are unchanged. It now sits in the BNS chapter on offences against woman and child. The connected presumption moves from Section 113B of the Evidence Act to Section 118 of the BSA.
Punishment: IPC 304B compared with BNS 80
The punishment is the same under both codes. Imprisonment of not less than 7 years, which may extend to imprisonment for life.
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IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.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 304B: common questions
What is the new section for IPC 304B?
IPC Section 304B (Dowry death) corresponds to Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
What is the punishment under BNS Section 80?
Imprisonment of not less than 7 years, which may extend to imprisonment for life.
Does IPC Section 304B 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IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.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 354 to BNS 74 · Outraging modesty
- IPC 354A to BNS 75 · Sexual harassment
- IPC 354B to BNS 76 · Disrobing
- IPC 354C to BNS 77 · Voyeurism
- IPC 354D to BNS 78 · Stalking
- IPC 366 to BNS 87 · Abduction for marriage
- IPC 498A to BNS 85 · Cruelty by husband
- IPC 509 to BNS 79 · Insulting modesty
Map any section inside Settl
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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.