BNS Section 155 - Concealing Design to Wage War

Whoever, knowing that any person is about to commit, or has committed, any of the offences punishable by section 152, conceals the existence of a design to wage such war, or makes any representation which he knows to be false respecting such design, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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Non-bailable, Cognizable

Official Text

Whoever, knowing that any person is about to commit, or has committed, any of the offences punishable by section 152, conceals the existence of a design to wage such war, or makes any representation which he knows to be false respecting such design, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Legal Analysis

Elements to Prove:

  • Knowledge of the design to wage war.
  • Concealment of the design or false representation.
  • Intent to conceal or mislead.

Potential Defenses:

  • No knowledge of the design.
  • Acting under duress.
  • Legitimate privacy concerns.

Practical Examples

What Constitutes the Offense:

Hiding information about planned attacks, providing false alibis for terrorists, destroying evidence of conspiracy.

What Doesn't Constitute:

Unaware of the design, acting under duress, or legitimate privacy concerns.

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 10 years, and Fine