The biggest drafting risk in criminal practice today is no longer weak facts or poor arguments—it is section mismatch.
With the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), every criminal lawyer faces a daily challenge:
old IPC numbers live in our memory, while courts now expect BNS citations.
A single wrong section can:
invite objections
delay bail or trial
weaken the credibility of the draft
even affect the outcome of the case
This is why an IPC to BNS converter has become one of the most important tools for modern criminal drafting.
What Exactly Is “Section Mismatch”?
Section mismatch happens when:
an FIR mentions IPC sections
the charge sheet continues with IPC
but the court expects BNS references
or the lawyer cites an IPC provision that has been restructured under BNS
For example, many traditional IPC offences have:
new numbers
modified ingredients
merged or split provisions
changed punishments
So the old habit of writing “IPC 323/504/506” without checking BNS can now be legally risky.
How Section Mismatch Harms a Case
- Registry & Court Objections
Courts increasingly ask:
“Under which BNS section are you pressing this charge?”
If the draft only mentions IPC, the matter often gets:
returned for correction
listed again
adjourned unnecessarily
- Confusion in Charge Framing
At the stage of framing of charge, mismatch can lead to:
wrong ingredients being considered
defective charge
scope for discharge or challenge
- Bail & Remand Complications
Bail applications based on IPC sections alone may face:
queries on applicability
prosecution objections
avoidable delay in relief
- Appeals & Revisions Become Weak
Higher courts are strict about:
correct statute
correct provision
correct punishment reference
An IPC-only citation in 2024+ practice looks outdated and careless.
Why Manual Conversion Is Not Reliable
Many lawyers still depend on:
memory of old IPC numbers
random comparison PDFs
WhatsApp charts
colleagues’ notes
These methods fail because:
BNS is not a simple renumbering
several offences are reworded
some sections are merged
punishments have changed
What looks “similar” may not be legally identical.
How an IPC to BNS Converter Solves This
A proper converter allows you to:
✔ enter the known IPC section
✔ instantly find the correct BNS provision
✔ check whether the offence structure has changed
✔ draft with updated, court-ready citations
This converts a risky guess into a verified legal step.
Where You Must Use Conversion Without Exception
🔹 FIR Drafting & Complaints
Start with BNS sections even if police still mention IPC in old formats.
🔹 Charge Sheets
Ensure final charges reflect BNS to avoid future challenges.
🔹 Bail Applications
Relief must be linked to the current penal provision, not repealed IPC.
🔹 Trial Arguments
Ingredients of offence must be read from BNS, not IPC textbooks.
🔹 Appeals & Revisions
Grounds should reflect the law in force on the date of hearing.
Best Practice to Avoid Mismatch
Never copy old IPC drafts blindly
Convert sections before drafting, not after
Mention mapping clearly where needed:
“Offence under Section ___ BNS, 2023 (earlier Section ___ IPC, 1860)”
Update your templates once for all cases
Verify punishment clauses under BNS separately
Why Young Lawyers Are Most Vulnerable
Juniors usually:
prepare first drafts
rely on seniors’ old formats
face direct judicial questions
A section mismatch can damage confidence early in career.
Using a converter helps juniors:
draft correctly from day one
avoid repeated corrections
answer court queries instantly
Role of Tools Like VakilMitraAI
Modern platforms such as VakilMitraAI are designed for this transition.
Their IPC → BNS conversion features help lawyers:
prevent section mismatch
draft faster
remain compliant with new criminal law
reduce dependency on unreliable charts
This is practical legal-tech, not theory.
The Core Message
Criminal practice has changed permanently.
Today, a good draft is not just about:
facts
evidence
arguments
It is also about correct BNS citation.
One wrong IPC number can undo hours of hard work.
Final Takeaway
To avoid section mismatch:
Don’t rely on memory
Don’t trust old PDFs
Don’t copy pre-2024 drafts
Use an IPC to BNS converter before every filing.
Accuracy is now part of advocacy—and conversion is the first step.Feel free to refer to our IPC to BNS Converter
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