215. Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.
IPC Section 180 in BNS: Section 215
Refusing to sign statement
Section 180 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Refusing to sign statement) corresponds to Section 215 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 215 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 3 months, or fine of 3,000 rupees, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 | Refusing to sign a statement made to a public servant when legally required to do so. | Simple imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 3,000 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 215
Full BNS Section 215 and every IPC section it replaced →
Ask CaseMinister about IPC 180 / BNS 215
Get the judgments that apply this section, with the paragraph relied on in each and what later Benches said about it. Two answers free on WhatsApp, no signup.