Section 13, Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction, The Bharitya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)

Section 13. Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction.

—Whoever, having been convicted by a Court in India, of an offence punishable under Chapter X or Chapter XVII of this Sanhita with imprisonment of either description for a term of three years or upwards, shall be guilty of any offence punishable under either of those Chapters with like imprisonment for the like term, shall be subject for every such subsequent offence to imprisonment for life, or to imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.

Comments

Section 13 of the BNS, 2023 targets repeat offenders who commit serious crimes. If someone has already been convicted in India for an offence under Chapter X (Offences relating to coin, currency-note, bank-notes and govt. stamp) or Chapter XVII (Offences Against Property), with a punishment of at least three years, and then commits another offence under the same Chapters, they face stricter penalties:

1. Imprisonment for life, or
2. Imprisonment for up to 10 years.

This provision ensures that individuals who repeatedly break the law face harsher consequences to deter habitual offending.

If someone convicted of serious offences under these Chapters commits another similar crime, their punishment will be significantly escalated. This ensures justice and discourages repeated misconduct.

Corresponding Section

Section 13 of the BNS, 2023 corresponds with Section 75 of IPC, 1860.