BNS §320
Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors
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Comparison
421. Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors.—Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently removes, conceals or delivers to any person, or transfers or causes to be transferred to any person, without adequate consideration, any property, intending thereby to prevent, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby prevent, the distribution of that property according to law among his creditors or the creditors of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently removes, conceals or delivers to any person, or transfers or causes to be transferred to any person, without adequate consideration, any property, intending thereby to prevent, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby prevent, the distribution of that property according to law among his creditors or the creditors of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 421 modified by BNS 320 with mandatory minimum 6-month imprisonment.
Old position
IPC 421 is concerned with Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditor. Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors
New position
BNS 320 modifies the framework. Topic: Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors. Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently removes, conceals or delivers to any person, or transfers or causes to be transferred to any person, without adequate consideration, any property, intending thereby to prevent, or knowing it to be likely
BNS 320 modifies IPC 421. IPC 421 modified by BNS 320 with mandatory minimum 6-month imprisonment. BNS 320 text: Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently removes, conceals or delivers to any person, or transfers or causes to be transferred to any person, without adequate consideration, any property,...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNS-320 reproduces IPC-421's framework on fraudulent removal of property to prevent distribution among creditors character-identically with drafting tidy-up. Punishment levels preserved.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 421 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 320 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 320 (Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent distribution among creditors). 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 §421 → BNS §320 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bns/320.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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