BNSS Section 388: Imprisonment or committal of person refusing to answer or produce document
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 28: Provisions as to Offences Affecting the Administration of Justice
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¶388. If any witness or person called to produce a document or thing before a Criminal Court refuses to answer such questions as are put to him or to produce any document or thing in his possession or power which the Court requires him to produce, and does not, after a reasonable opportunity has been given to him so to do, offer any reasonable excuse for such refusal, such Court may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, sentence him to simple imprisonment, or by warrant under the hand of the Presiding Magistrate or Judge commit him to the custody of an officer of the Court for any term not exceeding seven days, unless in the meantime, such person consents to be examined and to answer, or to produce the document or thing and in the event of his persisting in his refusal, he may be dealt with according to the provisions of section 384 or section 385.
Study: explanations and related material
Replaces CrPC 349. CrPC → BNSS converterSource: BPR&D BNSS–CrPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-07-03)
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
- 379. Procedure in cases mentioned in section 215
- 380. Appeal
- 381. Power to order costs
- 382. Procedure of Magistrate taking cognizance
- 383. Summary procedure for trial for giving false evidence
- 384. Procedure in certain cases of contempt
- 385. Procedure where Court considers that case should not be dealt with under section 384
- 386. When Registrar or Sub-Registrar to be deemed a Civil Court
- 387. Discharge of offender on submission of apology
- 389. Summary procedure for punishment for non-attendance by a witness in obedience to summons
- 390. Appeals from convictions under sections 383, 384, 388 and 389
- 391. Certain Judges and Magistrates not to try certain offences when committed before themselves