| Section | Punishment | Cognizable? | Bail | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 343 Fraudulently destroying or defacing, or attempting to destroy or deface, or secreting, a will, etc. | Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 7 years and fine | Non-cognizable | Non-bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
Source: First Schedule of the BNSS 2023 (classification of offences)
Section 343 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023:Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable security.
Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable security.Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly, or with intent to cause damage or injury to the public or to any person, cancels, destroys or defaces, or attempts to cancel, destroy or deface, or secretes or attempts to secrete any document which is or purports to be a will, or an authority to adopt a son, or any valuable security, or commits mischief in respect of such document, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.