BNS §263
Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
Jump to section
Comparison
225. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person.—Whoever intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; or, if the person to be apprehended, or the person rescued or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with 6[imprisonment for life] or imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended, or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is liable under the sentence of a Court of Justice, or by virtue of a commutation of such a sentence, to 2[imprisonment for life], 7*** 8*** 9*** or imprisonment, for a term of ten years, or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or, if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is under sentence of death, shall be punished with 2[imprisonment for life] or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Whoever, intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained for an offence,—
(a) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; or
(b) if the person to be apprehended, or the person rescued or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; or
(c) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is charged with or liable to be apprehended for an offence punishable with death, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or
(d) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is liable under the sentence of a Court or by virtue of a commutation of such a sentence, to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term of ten years or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; or
(e) if the person to be apprehended or rescued, or attempted to be rescued, is under sentence of death, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 225 (intentional resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person, or rescue from lawful custody; five-tier punishment based on gravity of underlying offence and sentence status) is preserved character-identically as BNS 263.
Old position
IPC 225 is concerned with Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
New position
BNS 263 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person. Whoever, intentionally offers any resistance or illegal obstruction to the lawful apprehension of any other person for an offence, or rescues or attempts to rescue any other person from any custody in which that person is lawfully detained
IPC 225 (intentional resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person, or rescue from lawful custody; five-tier punishment based on gravity of underlying offence and sentence status) is preserved character-identically as BNS 263.
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 225 (intentional resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person, or rescue from lawful custody; five-tier punishment based on gravity of underlying offence and sentence status) is preserved character-identically as BNS 263.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 225 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 263 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 263 (Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — 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 §225 → BNS §263 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bns/263.
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.