204. Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine.
IPC Section 170 in BNS: Section 204
Personating a public servant
Section 170 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Personating a public servant) corresponds to Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 204 is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for not less than 6 months but which may extend to 3 years and fine.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204 | Personating a public servant. | Imprisonment for not less than 6 months but which may extend to 3 years and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Any Magistrate |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 204
Full BNS Section 204 and every IPC section it replaced →
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