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Official Legislative Archive

The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023

SECTION Section 1

Untitled Section

Short title and
commencement.
THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2018
NO.22 OF 2018
[11th August, 2018.]
An Act further to amend the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as
follows:—
SECTION Section 10

Untitled Section

section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 11

Untitled Section

3.In section 228A of the Penal Code, in sub-section ( 1), for the words, figures and
letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and
letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 12

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 13

Untitled Section

4.In section 376 of the Penal Code,—
(a)in sub-section ( 1), for the words "shall not be less than seven years, but
which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine", the words
"shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and
shall also be liable to fine" shall be substituted;
(b)in sub-section (2), clause (i) shall be omitted;
(c)after sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
"(3) Whoever, commits rape on a woman under sixteen years of age shall
be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than
twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean
imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be
liable to fine:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical
expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be
paid to the victim.".
SECTION Section 14

Untitled Section

5.After section 376A of the Penal Code, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
"376AB. Whoever, commits rape on a woman under twelve years of age shall be
punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty
years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment
for the remainder of that person's natural life, and with fine or with death:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses
and rehabilitation of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.".
SECTION Section 15

Untitled Section

6.After section 376D of the Penal Code, the following sections shall be inserted, namely:—
"376DA. Where a woman under sixteen years of age is raped by one or more
persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each of
those persons shall be deemed to have committed the offence of rape and shall be
punished with imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder
of that person's natural life, and with fine:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses
and rehabilitation of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the
victim.
Insertion of
new section
376AB.
45 of 1860.
Punishment
for rape on
woman under
twelve years of
age.
Insertion of
new sections
376DA and
376DB.
Punishment
for gang rape
on woman
under sixteen
years of age.
SEC.1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
Amendment of
SECTION Section 16

Untitled Section

section 53A.
376DB.Where a woman under twelve years of age is raped by one or more
persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each of
those persons shall be deemed to have committed the offence of rape and shall be
punished with imprisonment for life,which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder
of that person's natural life, and with fine, or with death:
Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical
expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:
Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the
victim.".
SECTION Section 17

Untitled Section

7.In section 376E of the Penal Code, for the word, figures and letter "section 376D",
the words, figures and letters "section 376AB or section 376D or section 376DA or
SECTION Section 18

Untitled Section

section 376DB," shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 19

Untitled Section

CHAPTER III
A
MENDMENTS TO THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT, 1872
SECTION Section 2

Untitled Section

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
SECTION Section 20

Untitled Section

8.In section 53A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (hereafter in this Chapter referred to
as the Evidence Act), for the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376B,
SECTION Section 21

Untitled Section

section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376AB,
SECTION Section 22

Untitled Section

section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 23

Untitled Section

9.In section 146 of the Evidence Act, in the proviso, for the words, figures and letters
"section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and letters
"section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA,
SECTION Section 24

Untitled Section

section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 25

Untitled Section

CHAPTER IV
A
MENDMENTS TO THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973
SECTION Section 26

Untitled Section

10.In the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as the
Code of Criminal Procedure), in section 26, in clause (a), in the proviso, for the words, figures
and letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and
letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 27

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 28

Untitled Section

11.In section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section (1),—
(i)in the first proviso, for the words, figures and letters "section 376A,
SECTION Section 29

Untitled Section

section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and letters
"section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 3

Untitled Section

1.(1) This Act may be called the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.
(2)It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 21st day of April, 2018.
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EXTRAORDINARY
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PART II — Section 1
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PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
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No.35] NEW DELHI, SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018/SHRA V ANA 20, 1940 (SAKA)
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Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
REGISTERED NO. DL—(N)04/0007/2003—18
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 11th August, 2018/Shravana 20, 1940 (Saka)
The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the
11th August, 2018, and is hereby published for general information:—
2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [P ART II—
Amendment
of section
166A.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 30

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB," shall be substituted;
(ii) in the second proviso, in clause ( a), for the words, figures and letters
"section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words, figures and
letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 31

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB," shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 32

Untitled Section

12.In section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section (3), in the second
proviso, for the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C,
SECTION Section 33

Untitled Section

section 376D", the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B,
SECTION Section 34

Untitled Section

section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 35

Untitled Section

13.In section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section (5A), in clause (a),
for the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D",
the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C,
SECTION Section 36

Untitled Section

section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
Punishment
for gang rape
on woman
under twelve
years of age.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 37

Untitled Section

section 376E.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 38

Untitled Section

section 146.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 39

Untitled Section

section 26.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 4

Untitled Section

section 228A.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 40

Untitled Section

section 154.
2 of 1974.
1 of 1872.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 41

Untitled Section

section 161.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 42

Untitled Section

section 164.
4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [P ART II—
SECTION Section 43

Untitled Section

14.In section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,—
(i)in sub-section (1A), for the words "rape of a child may be completed within
three months", the words, figures and letters "an offence under sections 376, 376A,
376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB or 376E of the Indian Penal Code shall be
completed within two months" shall be substituted;
(ii) in sub-section (2), in clause (i), in sub-clause (h), for the word, figures and
letters "section 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D", the word, figures and letters "sections
376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 44

Untitled Section

15.In section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section ( 1), in the
Explanation, for the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376C, section 376D",
the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 45

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 46

Untitled Section

16.In section 309 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section (1), in the proviso,
for the words, figures and letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C or section 376D
of the Indian Penal Code, the inquiry or trial shall, as far as possible,", the words, figures and
letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 47

Untitled Section

section 376DA or section 376DB of the Indian Penal Code, the inquiry or trial shall" shall be
substituted.
SECTION Section 48

Untitled Section

17.In section 327 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in sub-section (2), for the words,
figures and letters "section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D", the words,
figures and letters "section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 49

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 5

Untitled Section

section 376.
SECTION Section 50

Untitled Section

18.In section 357B of the Code of Criminal Procedure, for the words, figures and letters
"under section 326A or section 376D of the Indian Penal Code", the words, figures and
letters "under section 326A, section 376AB, section 376D, section 376DA and section 376DB
of the Indian Penal Code" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 51

Untitled Section

19.In section 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, for the figures and letters
"376A, 376B, 376C, 376D", the figures and letters "376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA,
376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 52

Untitled Section

20.In section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, after sub-section (3), the following
sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
"(4) When an appeal has been filed against a sentence passed under
SECTION Section 53

Untitled Section

section 376, section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 54

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code, the appeal
shall be disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of such appeal.".
SECTION Section 55

Untitled Section

21.In section 377 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, after sub-section (3), the following
sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
"( 4) When an appeal has been filed against a sentence passed under
SECTION Section 56

Untitled Section

section 376, section 376A, section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D,
SECTION Section 57

Untitled Section

section 376DA, section 376DB or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code, the appeal
shall be disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of such appeal.".
SECTION Section 58

Untitled Section

22.In section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, after sub-section (3), the following
sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
"(4) Nothing in this section shall apply to any case involving the arrest of any
person on accusation of having committed an offence under sub-section ( 3) of
SECTION Section 59

Untitled Section

section 376 or section 376AB or section 376DA or section 376DB of the Indian
Penal Code.".
Amendment of
SECTION Section 6

Untitled Section

CHAPTER II
AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIAN PENAL CODE
SECTION Section 60

Untitled Section

section 173.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 61

Untitled Section

section 197.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 62

Untitled Section

section 309.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 63

Untitled Section

section 327.
45 of 1860.
45 of 1860.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 64

Untitled Section

section 357B.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 65

Untitled Section

section 357C.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 66

Untitled Section

section 374.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 67

Untitled Section

section 377.
45 of 1860.
45 of 1860.
45 of 1860.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 68

Untitled Section

section 438.
45 of 1860.
SEC.1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 5
SECTION Section 69

Untitled Section

23.In section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,—
(a)in sub-section ( 1), after the first proviso, the following proviso shall be
inserted, namely: —
"Provided further that the High Court or the Court of Session shall, before
granting bail to a person who is accused of an offence triable under sub-section (3)
of section 376 or section 376AB or section 376DA or section 376DB of the
Indian Penal Code, give notice of the application for bail to the Public Prosecutor
within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the notice of such
application.";
(b)after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
"(1A) The presence of the informant or any person authorised by him shall
be obligatory at the time of hearing of the application for bail to the person under
sub-section ( 3) of section 376 or section 376AB or section 376DA or
SECTION Section 7

Untitled Section

2.In the Indian Penal Code (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as the Penal Code), in
SECTION Section 70

Untitled Section

section 376DB of the Indian Penal Code.".
SECTION Section 71

Untitled Section

24.In the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, under the heading "I.—
OFFENCES UNDER THE INDIAN PENAL CODE", —
(a)for the entries relating to section 376, the following entries shall be substituted,
namely:—
Section Offence Punishment Cognizable or Bailable or By what
Non-congnizable Non-bailable Court triable
12 3 4 5 6
"376 Rape. Rigorous imprisonment Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
of not less than 10 years Session.
but which may extend
to imprisonment for life
and with fine.
Rape by a police
officer or a public
servant or member of
armed forces or a
person being on
the management
or on the staff
of a jail, remand
home or other
place of custody
or women's
or children's
institution or by
a person on the
management or
on the staff of a
hospital, and
rape committed
by a person in a
position of trust
or authority
towards the person
raped or by a
near relative of
the person raped.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 72

Untitled Section

section 439.
45 of 1860.
Amendment of
First Schedule.
Rigorous imprisonment
of not less than 10 years
but which may extend to
imprisonment for life
which shall mean the
remainder of that person's
natural life and with fine.
Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
Session.
45 of 1860.
6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [P ART II—
12 3 4 5 6
Persons
committing
offence of rape
on a woman
under sixteen
years of age.
(b)after the entries relating to section 376A, the following entries shall be
inserted, namely:—
12 3 4 5 6
"376AB Person committing Rigorous imprisonment Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
an offence of rape of not less than 20 years Session.";
on a woman but which may extend
under twelve to imprisonment
years of age. for life which
shall mean
imprisonment
for the remainder
of that person's
natural life and
with fine or
with death.
(c)after the entries relating to section 376D, the following entries shall be inserted,
namely:—
12 3 4 5 6
"376DA Gang rape on a Imprisonment Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
woman under sixteen for life which shall Session.
years of age. mean imprisonment for
the remainder of that
person's natural life
and with fine.
376DB Gang rape on Imprisonment for Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
woman under life which shall Session.".
twelve mean imprisonment
years of age. for the remainder of
that person's natural
life and with fine or
with death.
SECTION Section 73

Untitled Section

CHAPTER V
AMENDMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012
SECTION Section 74

Untitled Section

25.In section 42 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, for the
figures and letters "376A, 376C, 376D", the figures and letters "376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C,
376D, 376DA, 376DB" shall be substituted.
SECTION Section 75

Untitled Section

26.(1) The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 is hereby repealed.
Amendment of
SECTION Section 76

Untitled Section

section 42 of
Act No.32 of
SECTION Section 77

Untitled Section

2012.
Repeal and
savings.
Ord.No.2
of 2018.
Rigorous imprisonment
for a term which shall not
be less than 20 years but
which may extend to
imprisonment for life,
which shall mean
imprisonment for the
remainder of that person's
natural life and with fine.
Cognizable Non-bailable Court of
Session.";
SEC.1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 7
(2)Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the Indian
Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, as amended by the said Ordinance,
shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of those
Acts, as amended by this Act.
45 of 1860.
1 of 1872.
2 of 1974.
32 of 2012.
MGIPMRND—1644GI(S3)—11-08-2018.
UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002
AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054.
————
DR . G. NARAYANA RAJU,
Secretary to the Govt. of India.
SECTION Section 8

Untitled Section

section 166A, in clause (c), for the words, figures and letters "section 376B, section 376C,
SECTION Section 9

Untitled Section

section 376D", the words, figures and letters "section 376AB, section 376B, section 376C,