Section 56
Section 56 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. [Sentence of Europeans and Americans to penal servitude. The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1862. Repealed by section 358 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
[Sentence of Europeans and Americans to penal servitude. Proviso as to sentence for term exceeding ten years but not for life.] Rep. by the Criminal Law (Removal of Racial Discriminations) Act, 1949 (17 of 1949) (w. e. f. 6-4-1949).
Section 56, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860).
Now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
No provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is textually close to this one. No close match found
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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Chirag Baweja vs State of Uttarakhand
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In cases involving allegations of conspiracy and cheating in investment schemes, anticipatory bail may be granted where the applicant's direct involvement is disputed, the co-accused's role is significant, and the applicant poses no immediate flight risk or danger to witnesses, provided strict conditions are imposed to ensure cooperation with investigation and protection of the judicial process.
On this section: Punishment for criminal conspiracy - Applicable to the conspiracy charge
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 56
What have the courts held on Section 56 of the Indian Penal Code?
Chirag Baweja vs State of Uttarakhand (04 Nov 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Punishment for criminal conspiracy - Applicable to the conspiracy charge.
How do I find court cases under Section 56 of the Indian Penal Code?
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: IPC 56, section 56 IPC, section 56 of the Indian Penal Code. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Chirag Baweja vs State of Uttarakhand (04 Nov 2024).
When did Section 56 of the Indian Penal Code come into force?
Section 56 of the Indian Penal Code, cited as IPC 56, came into force on 01 Jan 1862, having been enacted on 06 Oct 1860. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 499. Defamation1512 words
- 464. Making a false document1223 words
- 300. Murder1172 words
- 378. Theft980 words
- 108. Abettor745 words
- 403. Dishonest misappropriation of property727 words
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. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 7b7d4fe6-206b-4e33-81f1-b98b018acaf6). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.