278. Whoever knowingly sells, or offers or exposes for sale, or issues from a dispensary for medicinal purposes, any drug or medical preparation, as a different drug or medical preparation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
IPC Section 276 in BNS: Section 278
Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
Section 276 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation) corresponds to Section 278 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 278 is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Any Magistrate; punishment: Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 278 | Knowingly selling of drug as a different drug or preparation. | Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable | 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 278
Full BNS Section 278 and every IPC section it replaced →
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