Section 137 BNS: Kidnapping

Table of Contents

Section 137 BNS | Kidnapping Section in BNS

137(1) BNS

Kidnapping is of two kinds: kidnapping from India, and kidnapping from lawful guardianship—

(a) whoever conveys any person beyond the limits of India without the consent of that person, or of some person legally authorised to consent on behalf of that person, is said to kidnap that person from India;

(b) whoever takes or entices any child or any person of unsound mind, out of the keeping of the lawful guardian of such child or person of unsound mind, without the consent of such guardian, is said to kidnap such child or person from lawful guardianship.

Explanation— The words “lawful guardian” in this clause include any person lawfully entrusted with the care or custody of such child or other person.

Exception— This clause does not extend to the act of any person who in good faith believes himself to be the father of an illegitimate child, or who in good faith believes himself to be entitled to the lawful custody of such child, unless such act is committed for an immoral or unlawful purpose.

137(2) BNS

Whoever kidnaps any person from India or from lawful guardianship shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

READ OTHER SECTIONS OF CHAPTER VI — OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY

Section No.	Section Title
	Of Offences Affecting Life
100	Culpable homicide.
101	Murder.
102	Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was intended.
103	Punishment for murder.
104	Punishment for murder by life-convict.
105	Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
106	Causing death by negligence.
107	Abetment of suicide of child or person of unsound mind.
108	Abetment of suicide.
109	Attempt to murder.
110	Attempt to commit culpable homicide.
111	Organised crime.
112	Petty organised crime.
113	Terrorist act.
	Of Hurt
114	Hurt.
115	Voluntarily causing hurt.
116	Grievous hurt.
117	Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
118	Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
119	Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act.
120	Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property.
121	Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty.
122	Voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt on provocation.
123	Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.
124	Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc.
125	Act endangering life or personal safety of others.
	Of Wrongful Restraint And Wrongful Confinement
126	Wrongful restraint.
127	Wrongful confinement.
	Of Criminal Force And Assault
128	Force.
129	Criminal force.
130	Assault.
131	Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation.
132	Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.
133	Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation.
134	Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person.
135	Assault or criminal force in attempt to wrongfully confine a person.
136	Assault or criminal force on grave provocation.
	Of Kidnapping, Abduction, Slavery And Forced Labour
137	Kidnapping.
138	Abduction
139	Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging.
140	Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder or for ransom, etc.
141	Importation of girl or boy from foreign country.
142	Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person.
143	Trafficking of person.
144	Exploitation of a trafficked person.
145	Habitual dealing in slaves.
146	Unlawful compulsory labour.

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FAQs of BNS Section 137

137 BNS punishment and fine

Punishment and fine under Section 137(2) of the BNS: Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.
137 BNS cognizable or not

The offence under Section 137(2) of the BNS is cognizable.
137 BNS bailable or not

The offence under Section 137(2) of the BNS is bailable.
137 BNS trial court

Offence specified in Section 137(2) of the BNS is triable by the Magistrate of the first class.

Important Points

Cognizable Offences: These are offences where a police officer can arrest a person without a warrant.

Non-Cognizable Offences: These are offences where a police officer cannot arrest a person without a warrant.

Bailable Offences: These are offences where the accused can get bail from the police station itself. All bailable offences are listed in the First Schedule of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Non-Bailable Offences: Offences in which bail is not granted directly from the police station but after hearing the case in the court, the judge decides when bail will be granted. All non-bailable offences are listed in the first schedule of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).