IPC §74 → BNS §12

Limit of solitary confinement

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checked
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 §74
Limit of solitary confinement

74. Limit of solitary confinement.—In executing a sentence of solitary confinement, such confinement shall in no case exceed fourteen days at a time, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods; and when the imprisonment awarded shall exceed three months, the solitary confinement shall not exceed seven days in any one month of the whole imprisonment awarded, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods.

New law
BNS §12
Limit of solitary confinement

In executing a sentence of solitary confinement, such confinement shall in no case exceed fourteen days at a time, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods; and when the imprisonment awarded shall exceed three months, the solitary confinement shall not exceed seven days in any one month of the whole imprisonment awarded, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods.

What changedAI-inferred

BNS Section 12 preserves the rule character-identically.

Old position

IPC Section 74 set execution-time limits on solitary confinement: 14-day caps per spell with equal intervals, and a 7-day-per-month limit when imprisonment exceeds 3 months.

New position

BNS Section 12 preserves the rule character-identically.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNS 12 (Limit of solitary confinement) preserves the framework of IPC 74. BNS 12 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.

BNS 12 text: In executing a sentence of solitary confinement, such confinement shall in no case exceed fourteen days at a time, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods; and when the imprisonment awarded shall exceed three months, the solitary confinement shall not exceed...

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 74 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 12 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 12. The execution-limit rules are unchanged.

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 §74 → BNS §12 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/ipc/74.

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.