IPC §51 → BNS §2

“Oath”

ModifiedConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checkedconsolidation context(precautionary)scope drift(observed)
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 §51
“Oath”

51. “Oath”.—The word “oath” includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath, and any declaration required or authorised by law to be made before a public servant or to be used for the purpose of proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.

New law
BNS §2
Definitions

In this Sanhita, unless the context otherwise requires,—

What changedAI-inferred

BNS Section 2(23) preserves the same coverage. Court of Justice is renamed to Court (consistent with the IPC 20 → BNS 2(5) label change); authorized is normalised to UK spelling authorised.

Old position

IPC Section 51 brought within oath the secular solemn affirmation substituted by law, and any declaration before a public servant or used for proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.

New position

BNS Section 2(23) preserves the same coverage. Court of Justice is renamed to Court (consistent with the IPC 20 → BNS 2(5) label change); authorized is normalised to UK spelling authorised.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

IPC Section 51 and BNS Section 2(23) carry the same definition of oath across the same set: a solemn affirmation substituted by law, plus any declaration required or authorised by law to be made before a public servant or used for proof, in or out of Court. Two text-level shifts: (i) Court of Justice (anchored to IPC 20) is replaced by Court (anchored to BNS 2(5)) — cross-definition linkage drift, low-weight; (ii) UK-spelling normalisation of authorized to authorised (drafting polish only).

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 51 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 (23). The definition is preserved with the cross-definition pointer shifted from IPC 20 ('Court of Justice') to BNS 2(5) ('Court').

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §51 → BNS §2 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/51.

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.