BNS Section 220 – Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section – 185
Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant
Whoever, at any sale of property held by the lawful authority of a public servant, as such, purchases or bids for any property on account of any person, whether himself or any other, whom he knows to be under a legal incapacity to purchase that property at that sale, or bids for such property not intending to perform the obligations under which he lays himself by such bidding, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both.
Understanding BNS-220: Illegal Purchase or Bid for Property Offered for Sale by Authority of Public Servant
Making an illegal purchase or bid for property that is being sold under the lawful authority of a public servant is a serious offense. BNS-220 is a legal provision that penalizes individuals who engage in such activities. Let’s break this down in simple terms.
What is BNS-220?
BNS-220 is a law that punishes individuals who illegally purchase or bid for property being sold under the lawful authority of a public servant. This ensures that property sales conducted by public servants are fair and lawful.
Key Elements of BNS-220
To understand this law, let’s look at its main components:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Lawful Authority | The sale of property must be conducted under the lawful authority of a public servant. |
| Illegal Purchase or Bid | The person must illegally purchase or bid for the property. |
Punishment Under BNS-220
If someone is found guilty of this offense, they can face the following punishments:
| Punishment | Details |
|---|---|
| Imprisonment | Up to 1 month. |
| Fine | Up to ₹200. |
| Both | The court may order both imprisonment and a fine. |
Legal Procedure for BNS-220
Here’s how the legal process works for this offense:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Cognizable or Non-cognizable | Non-cognizable (police cannot arrest without a warrant). |
| Bailable or Non-bailable | Bailable (the accused can seek bail). |
| Court Jurisdiction | The case is tried by any Magistrate. |
Why is BNS-220 Important?
This law is crucial for the following reasons:
- Ensures Fairness: It ensures that property sales conducted by public servants are fair and lawful.
- Prevents Corruption: It discourages illegal activities and corruption in the sale of property.
- Protects Public Trust: It maintains public trust in the integrity of legal and administrative processes.
Key Takeaways
- BNS-220 applies to individuals who illegally purchase or bid for property being sold under the lawful authority of a public servant.
- The offense involves engaging in unauthorized transactions during the sale process.
- Punishment includes up to 1 month imprisonment, a ₹200 fine, or both.
- The case is non-cognizable, bailable, and tried by any Magistrate.
Example Scenario
Let’s take an example to understand this better:
- Case: A public servant is conducting the sale of a property as part of a court order, but a person illegally bids for the property without proper authorization.
- Outcome: The person can face up to 1 month imprisonment, a ₹200 fine, or both.
Final Thoughts
BNS-220 is an important law that ensures property sales conducted by public servants are fair and lawful. If you ever come across someone engaging in illegal purchases or bids, remember that the law is there to address such misconduct.
