IPC §26 → BNS §2

“Reason to believe”

ModifiedConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checkedconsolidation context(precautionary)
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Indian Penal Code, 1860 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Text verified against official sources where indicated. Field-level labels (AI-indicated / AI-inferred / Text-verified) apply per edge metadata. Verify current bail/cognizable status against official sources before relying on procedural claims. Last updated: 2026-05-02.

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Comparison

Old law
IPC §26
“Reason to believe”

26. “Reason to believe”.—A person is said to have “reason to believe” a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.

New law
BNS §2
Definitions

In this Sanhita, unless the context otherwise requires,—

What changedAI-inferred

BNS Section 2(29) reproduces the IPC operative clause character-identically apart from punctuation: 'reason to believe'.—A person is said to have 'reason to believe' a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.

Old position

IPC Section 26 carried the test: A person is said to have 'reason to believe' a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.

New position

BNS Section 2(29) reproduces the IPC operative clause character-identically apart from punctuation: 'reason to believe'.—A person is said to have 'reason to believe' a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

IPC Section 26 and BNS Section 2(29) carry the same operative test for reason to believe: A person is said to have 'reason to believe' a thing, if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise. The operative clause is textually identical apart from punctuation. Two definitions-section formatting changes only: BNS adds the sub-clause label prefix 'reason to believe'.— and shifts terminal punctuation from full stop to semicolon. No drafting reframing, no envelope shift, no extraction.

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 26 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 2 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 in their existing frame.

Frequently asked

BNS Section 2, sub-clause (29). The operative test (sufficient cause to believe, but not otherwise) is preserved character-identically.

Government source

The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.

Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §26 → BNS §2 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/ipc/26.

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.