Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, addresses the offense of "attempted suicide to influence the exercise of lawful powers." This provision criminalizes the act of attempting suicide with the intent to coerce or manipulate public authorities, such as government officials or law enforcement, in the performance of their duties.
The punishment for this offense under Section 226 includes:
Imprisonment: A term of simple imprisonment for up to one year.
Fine: A monetary penalty.
Both: A combination of imprisonment and fine
Community Service: An alternative or additional form of punishment, as specified under Section 4(f) of the BNS.
The introduction of community service as a punitive measure under the BNS is a significant reform in the Indian criminal justice system. It provides courts with an additional sentencing option for minor offenses, promoting a more rehabilitative approach to justice. For instance, in Delhi, the government has notified guidelines listing 12 forms of community service punishments for minor offenses under the BNS, such as cleaning hospital wards, public parks, and organizing library books. These tasks range from one day to 31 days or 40 to 240 hours in duration .
It's important to note that the BNS is still under review and has not yet been enacted into law. Therefore, detailed information about specific sections, including Section 226, may not be fully accessible at this time. However, the inclusion of community service as a formal sentencing option marks a shift towards a more reformative approach in dealing with minor offenses.
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