Home / India / Tamil Nadu, India
Tamil Nadu, India State law
State law + central baseline (BNS 2023)
Jurisdiction Central criminal law (BNS 2023, NDPS Act, IT Act, Arms Act, Motor Vehicles Act) applies in Tamil Nadu except where a state law below adds penalties. Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Forest Offenders, Sand Offenders, Slum-Grabbers and Video Pirates Act 1982 (Goondas Act) provides preventive detention (no offence penalty ranges — not encoded as tiers).
0 verified · 16 possibly — unconfirmed · 0 verification pending
Offences by family
Against the person
Assault (aggravated) Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS ss. 116–118
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Assault (simple) Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range State harassment penalty in addition to the central BNS assault provisions — see the central tier.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
Harassment of Woman Act s. 4 — harassment (incl. abusing, causing hurt, nuisance, assault, use of force) at listed public places or any other place Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Imprisonment up to 3 years
- Fine
- Fine minimum ₹10,000 (maximum not stated in section)
Imprisonment AND fine.
- Statute
- Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 s. 4 + BNS ss. 114–115 (central)
- Official source
- Indian Kanoon reproduction of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 (non-official)
- Verification note
- Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Figures rest on Act-text reproductions; a direct official-text re-check is still required.
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Domestic violence Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty. Domestic violence in India is a framework, NOT a single offence: the PWDVA 2005 provides reliefs (ss. 18–23, no penalties); penalties come from PWDVA breach provisions and BNS ss. 85–86.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- PWDVA 2005 + BNS ss. 85–86
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Homicide — manslaughter Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range State harassment-death penalties in addition to the central BNS culpable-homicide provisions — see the central tier. Do not label “manslaughter” as if the BNS used the word.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
Harassment of Woman Act s. 4A(2)(ii) — harassment death done with knowledge it is likely to cause death (no intention) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Imprisonment up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine minimum ₹50,000 (maximum not stated in section)
Harassment of Woman Act s. 4A(2)(iii) — harassment death by a rash or negligent act Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Imprisonment up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine minimum ₹25,000 (maximum not stated in section)
Note on this entry s. 4B (abetment of harassment suicide): imprisonment up to 10 years + fine minimum ₹50,000 — not folded into the tiers above.
- Statute
- Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 s. 4A(2)(ii)–(iii) + BNS ss. 100 / 101 / 105 (central)
- Official source
- Indian Kanoon reproduction of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 (non-official)
- Verification note
- Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Figures rest on Act-text reproductions; a direct official-text re-check is still required.
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Homicide — murder Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range State harassment-death penalty in addition to the central BNS homicide provisions — see the central tier.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
Harassment of Woman Act s. 4A(2)(i) — harassment death done with intention of causing death or injury likely to cause death Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Imprisonment up to life
- Fine
- Fine minimum ₹50,000 (maximum not stated in section)
- Statute
- Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 s. 4A(2)(i) + BNS ss. 101 / 103 / 104 (central)
- Official source
- Indian Kanoon reproduction of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act 1998 (non-official)
- Verification note
- Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Figures rest on Act-text reproductions; a direct official-text re-check is still required.
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Sexual offences
Sexual assault / rape Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS ss. 63–71
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Property
Burglary Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty. Do not label “burglary” as if the BNS used the word — the BNS charges house-trespass / house-breaking (ss. 330–331).
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS ss. 330–331
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Robbery Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS s. 309
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Theft Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) s. 303
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors beyond tier, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Vandalism / criminal damage Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS s. 324
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Fraud & financial
Fraud Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- BNS s. 318
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Drugs
Drug possession Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- NDPS Act ss. 20 / 21 / 22 (prohibition s. 8(c))
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors (except s. 31 note), intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Drug trafficking / sale Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- NDPS Act ss. 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 27A
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, intent, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Weapons
Weapons offences Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- Arms Act 1959 s. 25 (post-2019)
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Traffic & transport
DUI / drink driving Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range State Prohibition Act penalties for alcohol offences (DUI-adjacent). The central MV Act s. 185 drink-driving offence also applies — see the central tier.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
s. 4(1) — import/export/transport/possess/manufacture/sell liquor or intoxicating drug, distillery, bottling etc. Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Rigorous imprisonment up to 5 years
- Fine
- Fine (cap not confirmed in retrieved text — truncated at “seven …”)
Imprisonment AND fine.
s. 4A — found in a state of intoxication in a public place (or, without permit, in a private place) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Imprisonment up to 3 months
- Fine
- Fine up to ₹1,000
Imprisonment OR fine OR both.
s. 5 — rendering / attempting to render denatured spirit fit for human consumption, or possessing such spirit Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Rigorous imprisonment up to 3 years
- Fine
- Fine up to ₹10,000
Imprisonment AND fine.
Note on this entry The Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act 2024 (post-Kallakurichi hooch tragedy) would raise maxima to 10 years RI + ₹5,00,000, and to life + a minimum ₹10,00,000 fine where death results — its commencement notification was NOT confirmed, so the enhanced figures are NOT encoded.
- Statute
- Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act 1937 ss. 4 / 4A / 5 + Motor Vehicles Act 1988 s. 185 (central)
- Official source
- Indian Kanoon reproduction of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act 1937 (non-official)
- Verification note
- Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Figures rest on Act-text reproductions; a direct official-text re-check is still required.
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, 3-year window unresolved, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Cyber & digital
Cybercrime / hacking Possibly — unconfirmed
Read this before the range Central law applies — no separate state penalty.
Possibly — unconfirmed Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Central law applies — see India entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- —
- Fine
- —
No separate state penalty; the central statute governs.
- Statute
- IT Act 2000 (2008 amendment)
- Official source
- India Code (central entry — see India file); no separate state penalty located
- Verification note
- Central-law range — see India entry; direct India Code confirmation still required (India Code direct fetch returned HTTP 403 on 2026-10-19).
- Last verified
- 2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not
“your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a
licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.