Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XXXVI: Disposal Of Property

Section 501 BNSS: Destruction of libellous and other matter

Corresponding CrPC: Section 455 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) On a conviction under section 294, section 295, or sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court may order the destruction of all the copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, and which are in the custody of the Court or remain in the possession or power of the person convicted.

(2) The Court may, in like manner, on a conviction under section 274, section 275, section 276 or section 277 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, order the food, drink, drug or medical preparation in respect of which the conviction was had, to be destroyed.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

On a conviction under section 294, 295 or sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Court may order destruction of all copies of the thing in respect of which the conviction was had, which are in the Court's custody or in the convict's possession or power. The section also extends this to certain other offences.