BNS §176
Illegal payments in connection with an election
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Comparison
171H. Illegal payments in connection with an election.—Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of such candidate, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees: Provided that if any person having incurred any such expenses not exceeding the amount of ten rupees without authority obtains within ten days from the date on which such expenses were incurred the approval in writing of the candidate, he shall be deemed to have incurred such expenses with the authority of the candidate.
Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of such candidate, shall be punished with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees:
Provided that if any person having incurred any such expenses not exceeding the amount of ten rupees without authority obtains within ten days from the date on which such expenses were incurred the approval in writing of the candidate, he shall be deemed to have incurred such expenses with the authority of the candidate.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 171H and BNS 176 carry the illegal-payments-in-connection-with-an-election offence with one quantitative change: the fine cap rises from ₹500 (IPC 171H) to ₹10,000 (BNS 176). The actus reus (incurring or authorising expenses without the candidate's general or special written authority for public meeting / advertisement / circular / publication / or any other promotion) and the ₹10/10-day approval-rectification proviso are preserved character-identically.
Old position
IPC 171H is concerned with Illegal payments in connection with an election. 171-I. Failure to keep election accounts. Illegal payments in connection with an election
New position
BNS 176 modifies the framework. Topic: Illegal payments in connection with an election. Whoever without the general or special authority in writing of a candidate incurs or authorises expenses on account of the holding of any public meeting, or upon any advertisement, circular or publication, or in any other way whatsoever
IPC 171H and BNS 176 carry the illegal-payments-in-connection-with-an-election offence with one quantitative change: the fine cap rises from ₹500 (IPC 171H) to ₹10,000 (BNS 176). The actus reus (incurring or authorising expenses without the candidate's general or special written authority for...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNS-176 reproduces IPC-171H's framework on illegal payments in connection with election character-identically. Historical-amendment brackets are incorporated as plain text. Punishment levels are preserved.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 171H continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 176 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 176 (Illegal payments in connection with an election). The relationship is classified as modified — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §171H → BNS §176 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bns/176.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.