IPC Section 201: Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 11: False Evidence and Offences against Public Justice
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows or believes to be false;
¶if a capital offence.-shall, if the offence which he knows or believes to have been committed 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;
¶if punishable with imprisonment for life.-and if the offence is punishable with 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine;
¶if punishable with less than ten years` imprisonment.-and if the offence is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending to ten years, shall 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 the imprisonment provided for the offence, or with fine, or with both.
¶Illustration
¶A, knowing that B has murdered Z, assists B to hide the body with the intention of screening B from punishment. A is liable to imprisonment of either description for seven years, and also to fine.
¶CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
¶Para I
¶Punishment-Imprisonment for 7 years and fine-According as the offence in relation to which disappearance of evidence is caused is cognizable or non-cognizable-Bailable-Triable by Court of Session-Non-compoundable.
¶Para II
¶Punishment-Imprisonment for 3 years and fine-Non-cognizable-Bailable-Triable by Magistrate of the first class-Non-compoundable.
¶Para III
¶Punishment-Imprisonment for a quarter of the longest term provided for the offence, or fine or both-Non-cognizable-Bailable-Triable by court by which the offence is triable-Non-compoundable.
¶_______________________________________
¶1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec. 117 and Sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 238 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p15
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.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. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 191. Giving false evidence
- 192. Fabricating false evidence
- 193. Punishment for false evidence
- 194. Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence
- 195. Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment
- 195A. Threatening any person to give false evidence
- 196. Using evidence known to be false
- 197. Issuing or signing false certificate
- 198. Using as true a certificate known to be false
- 199. False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence
- 200. Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false
- 202. Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform
- 203. Giving false information respecting an offence committed
- 204. Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as sevidence
- 205. False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution
- 206. Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- 207. Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- 208. Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due
- 209. Dishonestly making false claim in Court
- 210. Fraudulently obtaining decree for sum not due
- 211. False charge of offence made with intent to injure
- 212. Harbouring offender
- 213. Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment
- 214. Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender
- 215. Taking gift to help to recover stolen property, etc
- 216. Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody or whose apprehension has been ordered
- 216A. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits
- 216B. Definition of “harbour” in sections 212, 216 and 216A
- 217. Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
- 218. Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture
- 219. Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law
- 220. Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law
- 221. Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend
- 222. Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend person under sentence or lawfully committed
- 223. Escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant
- 224. Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension
- 225. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person
- 225A. Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant, in cases not otherwise, provided for
- 225B. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension, or escape or rescue in cases not otherwise provided for
- 226. Unlawful return from transportation
- 227. Violation of condition of remission of punishment
- 228. Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding
- 228A. Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc
- 229. Personation of a juror or assessor
- 229A. Failure by person released on bail or bond to appear in Court