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.
IPC Section 179 in BNS: Section 214
Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
Section 179 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question) corresponds to Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 214 is non-cognizable, 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; punishment: Simple imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 214 | Being legally bound to state truth, and refusing to answer public servant authorised to question. | Simple imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | 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, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 214
Full BNS Section 214 and every IPC section it replaced →
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