Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power

In force From 01 Jul 2024 Act 45 of 2023 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 2023 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 25 Dec 2023 In force 01 Jul 2024

Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power. Whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service.
Section 226, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 309 Attempt to commit suicide Distant match 57%

Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.

Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.

How this offence is classified

From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.

Offence	Punishment	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by
Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restraint exercise of lawful power.	Imprisonment for 1 year, or fine, or both, or community service.	Non-cognizable.	Bailable.	Any Magistrate.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Questions about Section 226

What does Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power". Whoever attempts to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain any public servant from discharging his official duty shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, or with community service.

Is Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?

Bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Is Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?

Non-cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Any Magistrate.

How do I find court cases under Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 226, section 226 BNS, section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 226 in ipc and bns 226 2 in hindi. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 309 (Attempt to commit suicide), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, commonly called attempt to suicide, and cited as BNS 226, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.