Whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, to change its operation, or to render it noxious, sells the same, or offers or exposes it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 277 BNS: Sale of adulterated drugs
- Corresponding IPC
- Section 275 IPC
- Punishment
- Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to Rs 5,000, or both
Classification of offence
| Section | Cognizable? | Bailable? | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 277 | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Any Magistrate |
As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Bare Act text
Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.
In simple words
Punishes knowingly selling, offering for sale, issuing from a dispensary, or causing to be used medicinally, an adulterated drug or preparation as if it were unadulterated.
Chapter XV: Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience,
- 270 Public nuisance
- 271 Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 272 Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
- 273 Disobedience to quarantine rule
- 274 Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
- 275 Sale of noxious food or drink
- 276 Adulteration of drugs
- 277 Sale of adulterated drugs
- 278 Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
- 279 Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
- 280 Making atmosphere noxious to health
- 281 Rash driving or riding on a public way
- 282 Rash navigation of vessel
- 283 Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
- 284 Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
- 285 Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
- 286 Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
- 287 Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
- 288 Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
- 289 Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
- 290 Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings, etc
- 291 Negligent conduct with respect to animal
- 292 Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
- 293 Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
- 294 Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc
- 295 Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child
- 296 Obscene acts and songs
- 297 Keeping lottery office