Whoever gives or causes, or offers or agrees to give or cause, any gratification to any person, or restores or causes the restoration of any property to any person, in consideration of that person’s concealing an offence, or of his screening any person from legal punishment for any offence, or of his not proceeding against any person for the purpose of bringing him to legal punishment shall,––
(a) if the offence is punishable with death, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(b) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine;
(c) if the offence is punishable with imprisonment not extending to ten years, be punished with imprisonment of the description provided for the offence for a term which may extend to one-fourth part of the longest term of imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both.
Exception — —The provisions of this section and section 250 do not extend to any case in which the offence may lawfully be compounded.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 251
Section 251 penalises offering or giving any gift, gratification, or restoration of property to any person in consideration of that person screening an offender or concealing an offence.
Distinguish between legitimate civil restitution permitted under Section 359 BNSS and corrupt bribery intended to conceal serious offences. In defence, establish absence of unlawful consideration.