BBanaka

BNS Section 222: Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 13: Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants

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222. Whoever, being bound by law to render or furnish assistance to any public servant in the execution of his public duty, intentionally omits to give such assistance,––

(a) shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two thousand and five hundred rupees, or with both;

(b) and where such assistance be demanded of him by a public servant legally competent to make such demand for the purposes of executing any process lawfully issued by a Court or of preventing the commission of an offence, or suppressing a riot, or affray, or of apprehending a person charged with or guilty of an offence, or of having escaped from lawful custody, 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 187. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

222(a)Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give such assistance.

Punishment
Simple imprisonment for 1 month, or fine of 2,500 rupees, or both.
Cognizable or not
Non‑cognizable
Bailable or not
Bailable
Triable by
Any Magistrate

222(b)Wilfully neglecting to aid a public servant who demands aid in the execution of process, the prevention of offences, etc.

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
Any Magistrate

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 174. 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.

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