BNS Section 214: Refusing to answer public servant authorized to question
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 13: Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants
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¶214. Whoever, being legally bound to state the truth on any subject to any public servant, refuses to answer any question demanded of him touching that subject by such public servant in the exercise of the legal powers of such public servant, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Study: explanations and related material
Replaces IPC 179. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)
Punishment, bail and trial
214Being legally bound to state truth, and refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.
- Punishment
- Simple imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both.
- Cognizable or not
- Non‑cognizable
- Bailable or not
- Bailable
- Triable by
- The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVIII; or, if not committed, in a Court, any Magistrate
Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 173. The Schedule gives the substance of the section, not its full definition, and a State may have amended the classification for its territory. See it in the full First Schedule
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 206. Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding
- 207. Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof
- 208. Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant
- 209. Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- 210. Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by a person legally bound to produce it
- 211. Omission to give notice or information to public servant by a person legally bound to give it
- 212. Furnishing false information
- 213. Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
- 215. Refusing to sign a statement
- 216. False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorized to administer an oath or affirmation
- 217. False information, with the intent to cause a public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person
- 218. Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of a public servant
- 219. Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by the authority of public servant
- 220. Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by the authority of public servant
- 221. Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
- 222. Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance
- 223. Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant
- 224. Threat of injury to public servant
- 225. Threat of injury to induce a person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant
- 226. Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain the exercise of lawful power