(3) Whoever prints or engraves any matter, knowing or having good reason to believe that such matter is defamatory of any person, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 501 in BNS: Section 356(3)
Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory
Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) corresponds to Section 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 356(3) is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Court of Session; punishment: Simple imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 356(3) | Printing or engraving matter knowing it to be defamatory against the President or the Vice-President or the Governor of a State or Administrator of a Union territory or a Minister in respect of his conduct in the discharge of his public functions when instituted upon a complaint made by the Public Prosecutor. | Simple imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Court of Session |
| 356(3) | Printing or engraving matter knowing it to be defamatory, in any other case. | Simple imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
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 356(3)
Full BNS Section 356 and every IPC section it replaced →
Other IPC sections now in BNS 356
- IPC 499: Defamation → BNS 356
- IPC 500: Punishment for defamation → BNS 356(1)-(2)
- IPC 502: Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter → BNS 356(4)
Ask CaseMinister about IPC 501 / BNS 356(3)
Get the judgments that apply this section, with the paragraph relied on in each and what later Benches said about it. Two answers free on WhatsApp, no signup.