IPC → BNS
IPC Section 201 is now BNS Section 238
Causing disappearance of evidence of offence. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code with effect from 1 July 2024.
Repealed
IPC Section 201
Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender
Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false;
Read the full IPC section →In force
BNS Section 238
Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen
Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false shall,— (a) if the offence which he knows or believes to have been committed is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; (b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine; (c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of the imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both. Illustration. A, knowing that B has murdered Z, assists B to hide the body with the intention of screening B from punishment. A is liable to imprisonment of either description for seven years, and also to fine.
Read the full BNS section →Common questions
Which BNS section replaced IPC 201?
BNS Section 238 — Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen. IPC 201 dealt with causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender; the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita carries it forward under the new numbering.
Is IPC 201 still valid?
The IPC was repealed from 1 July 2024. Offences committed before that date are still tried under the IPC; anything after falls under the BNS. Both matter for exams — questions are set on the old and the new numbering.
Mapping cross-checked against both section texts and editorially reviewable. Education, not legal advice — verify critical use against the official Gazette.