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Section66
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim

In force From 01 Jul 2024 Act 45 of 2023 As on 14 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 2023 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 25 Dec 2023 In force 01 Jul 2024 Cited by 5 provisions

Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim. Whoever, commits an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 64 and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a ter The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever, commits an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 64 and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, 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, or with death.

Section 66, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

This section refers to

  1. s. 64 Punishment for rape

Referred to by 5

  1. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Draft stage of translated version) s. 193
  2. s. 71 Punishment for repeat offenders
  3. s. 72 Disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences, etc
  4. s. 199 Public servant disobeying direction under law
  5. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita s. 193 Report of police officer on completion of investigation

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.

OffencePunishment CognizableBailableTriable by
Person committing an offence of rape and inflicting injury which causes death or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state. Rigorous imprisonment for not 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 or death. Cognizable. Non-bailable. Court of Session.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Questions about Section 66

What does Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim". Whoever, commits an offence punishable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 64 and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a ter

Is Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?

Non-bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Is Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?

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

How do I find court cases under Section 66 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 66, section 66 BNS, section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 66 d it act in hindi and bns 66 c it act 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 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 64 (Punishment for rape), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 5 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.

When did Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 66, 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.