BNS Section 103 — Punishment for murder

CHAPTER VI OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY — Of offences affecting life

Criminal

Punishment

Death or life imprisonment and fine

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine”

Summary

Sub-section (1) states that anyone who commits murder shall be punished with either the death penalty or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a fine.

Sub-section (2) states that when a group of five or more persons acting together commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief, or any other similar ground, each member of such group shall be punished with either death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a fine.

Official Text

(1) Whoever commits murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) When a group of five or more persons acting in concert commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground each member of such group shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

Related Provisions

murder

Referred to by

Related Judgments

  • BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2696 OF 2025; Mayur Dattatraya Nagare vs State Of Maharashtra — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2026)
  • RAVI PAL vs THE STATE (GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI) — Delhi High Court (2026)
  • PARVESH ALIAS RAVI vs THE STATE OF NCT DELHI — Delhi High Court (2025)
  • KANWAL SINGH vs GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI — Delhi High Court (2025)
  • PREM @ SAGAR vs STATE NCT OF DELHI — Delhi High Court (2026)
  • DEEPAK KUMAR MISHRA vs THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI — Delhi High Court (2026)

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