BNS Section 152 — Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India

Summary

Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by spoken or written words, signs, visible representations, electronic communication, financial means, or any other method, excites or tries to excite secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, or encourages separatist feelings, or endangers the sovereignty, unity, or integrity of India, or indulges in or commits any such act, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment up to seven years, and shall also be liable to a fine.

The explanation clarifies that comments expressing disapproval of government measures or administrative or other actions, made with the aim of getting them changed through lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite the activities mentioned in this section, do not constitute an offence under this section.

Official Text

Whoever, purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of financial mean, or otherwise, excites or attempts to excite, secession or armed rebellion or subversive activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers sovereignty or unity and integrity of India; or indulges in or commits any such act shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.—Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures, or administrative or other action of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means without exciting or attempting to excite the activities referred to in this section do not constitute an offence under this section.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)