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Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XV: Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience,

Section 278 BNS: Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation

Corresponding IPC
Section 276 IPC
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to Rs 5,000, or both

Classification of offence

SectionCognizable?Bailable?Triable by
278Non-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate

As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Bare Act text

Whoever knowingly sells, or offers or exposes for sale, or issues from a dispensary for medicinal purposes, any drug or medical preparation, as a different drug or medical preparation, 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.

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 or issuing from a dispensary a drug or medical preparation as a different drug or preparation.

Chapter XV: Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience,

  1. 270 Public nuisance
  2. 271 Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  3. 272 Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  4. 273 Disobedience to quarantine rule
  5. 274 Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
  6. 275 Sale of noxious food or drink
  7. 276 Adulteration of drugs
  8. 277 Sale of adulterated drugs
  9. 278 Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
  10. 279 Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
  11. 280 Making atmosphere noxious to health
  12. 281 Rash driving or riding on a public way
  13. 282 Rash navigation of vessel
  14. 283 Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
  15. 284 Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
  16. 285 Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
  17. 286 Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
  18. 287 Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
  19. 288 Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
  20. 289 Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
  21. 290 Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings, etc
  22. 291 Negligent conduct with respect to animal
  23. 292 Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
  24. 293 Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
  25. 294 Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc
  26. 295 Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child
  27. 296 Obscene acts and songs
  28. 297 Keeping lottery office
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