←
Section 142 — Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person
142
142
Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Chapter VI Of Offences Affecting The Human Body
⚖️
Reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate · Practicing since 31 years
📅 Updated 2026-04-10📚 Source: The Gazette of India
KidnappingConcealmentAbductionSevere
🗣️ Simple Explanation
What does this law say? Section 142 of the BNS says that if you know someone has been kidnapped or abducted, and you hide or keep them locked up, you are punished as if you did the kidnapping yourself.
Why does this law exist? This law is to stop people from helping kidnappers. It makes sure that anyone who helps keep a kidnapped person hidden is also punished. This helps protect victims.
Real-life impact This law makes it dangerous to help kidnappers. If you know someone is kidnapped and you hide them, you can be arrested. This protects victims and deters others from assisting criminals.
What happens if you break this law? You will be punished the same way as the person who did the kidnapping. This could mean jail time. The police can arrest you without a warrant.
⚖️ Punishment

Punishment is the same as if you had kidnapped or abducted the person.

💡 Real Life Example

Amit knows his friend kidnapped a person and is hiding them. Amit helps by keeping the victim locked in a room. This violates Section 142. Legal consequence: Amit faces the same punishment as the kidnapper.

Sneha finds out her neighbor has been abducted and is being held against their will. She helps by providing food and water. This is also a violation. Legal consequence: Sneha could face the same penalties as the abductor.

🛡️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
  • •Report any knowledge of a kidnapping to the police immediately.
  • •Seek legal help if you are accused of concealing a kidnapped person.
  • •Refuse to help anyone who has kidnapped or abducted someone.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Section 142 of the BNS means that if you know someone has been kidnapped and you hide them, you will be punished as if you did the kidnapping. This law aims to stop people from helping kidnappers. It protects victims and ensures that anyone who helps is also held accountable. This section replaces the old law.
The punishment for breaking Section 142 is the same as the punishment for kidnapping. This could mean a long jail sentence. The police can arrest you without a warrant. The severity of the punishment reflects the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect victims.
Sources & References

📒 Legal text sourced from The Gazette of India & AdvocateKhoj Bare Acts Library

⚖️ Content reviewed by Advocate Aditi Babbar, Seasoned Advocate, with 31 years of legal practice

📚 Act Reference: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (replaces IPC)

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate for specific legal matters.

WhatsApp
Was this helpful?