IPC Section 13: Definition of Queen - Omitted Provision
Section 13 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), originally concerned the expression "Queen". It was omitted by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950, following India's transition to a republic. It did not remain an operative definition in the IPC after that omission.
What did Section 13 IPC provide?
In later published editions of the IPC, Section 13 appeared as an omitted provision, commonly shown under the historical heading "Queen" with the notation "Omitted by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950". The uploaded original webpage recorded the same omission. There is therefore no operative statutory definition to quote from Section 13 as it stood immediately before the IPC was repealed.
Why was Section 13 omitted?
The IPC was enacted in 1860 during British rule. Following the commencement of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, statutory terminology was adapted to the constitutional framework of the Republic of India. The Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950, omitted Section 13, which related to a colonial-era reference to the sovereign.
Section 13 IPC and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
| Old law | Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 13 - omitted by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950. |
|---|---|
| New law | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023). |
| Corresponding BNS provision | None. The omitted colonial-era definition was not reenacted as a matching provision. |
| Effective date of BNS | 1 July 2024, subject to the commencement notification and the specified exception concerning Section 106(2). |
| Legal significance | Historical and interpretative only; Section 13 IPC did not create a criminal offence or prescribe a punishment. |
Does Section 13 IPC prescribe any punishment?
No. Section 13 was part of the general explanations and definitions in the IPC. It did not itself create an offence, and it did not prescribe imprisonment, a fine, or another penalty.
Does the repeal of the IPC affect older cases?
The BNS repealed the IPC through Section 358, subject to its saving provisions and other applicable principles of law. The repeal does not mean that every matter arising under the IPC before 1 July 2024 disappears. The law applicable to particular acts, investigations and proceedings depends on the relevant dates and statutory savings. Because Section 13 had already been omitted in 1950, it does not provide an operative rule for such cases.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPC Section 13 still in force?
No. It was omitted in 1950, long before the BNS replaced the IPC in 2024.
What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 13?
There is no direct equivalent provision defining "Queen" in the BNS.
Was Section 13 an offence?
No. It was a definition-related provision, not a penal offence.
Official legal sources
For the authoritative statutory text and commencement details, consult the India Code official legislation database, the Ministry of Home Affairs - New Criminal Laws and the Legislative Department - Constitution of India. Search India Code for the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 to examine their full texts.
Editorial note: This page explains the historical position of an omitted provision and is intended for general legal information, not case-specific legal advice. Updated 28 October 2026.