Section 216A · Section 216A. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits
1[Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that any persons are about to commit or have recently committed robbery or dacoity, harbours them or any of them, with the intention of facilitating the commission of such robbery or dacoity, or of screening them or any of them from punishment, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section it is immaterial whether the robbery or dacoity is intended to be committed, or has been committed, within or without 2[India].
Exception.—This provision does not extend to the case in which the harbour is by the husband or wife of the offender.]
_____________________________________________________________
1. Ins. by Act 3 of 1894, s. 8.
2. Ins. by Act 10 of 1886, s. 23.
The offence at a glance
- Punishment
- up to 7 years, fine (no stated ceiling)
- Cognizable
- Cognizable
- Bailable
- Bailable
- Compoundable
- Not compoundable
- Triable by
- Magistrate of the first class
- Cognizable — Police may arrest without a warrant
- Bailable — Bail is your right — it can be granted at the police station
From the First Schedule to the BNSS (the CrPC's, for IPC offences)
In the new law
IPC 216ABNS 254
254. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.
Compare the two texts →Your private note on this section
Only you can see this note.
How this section has changed
The law that applies is the law as it stood on the date of the offence — which is why this timeline matters.
- 1886Inserted
By: Act 10 of 1886
- 1894Inserted
By: Act 3 of 1894
By 8.
The text in force on the date of the offence is the text that applies — a later amendment does not reach back.