Under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, what is the current range of punishments available to a court for the offence of 'Defamation'?
- ARigorous imprisonment for 5 years
- BSimple imprisonment, or fine, or both, or Community Service
- COnly an apology in open court
- DOnly a fine
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, deals with defamation. It provides that whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both, or with community service. Community service is an innovative addition to punishments under the new framework.