216. Whoever, being legally bound by an oath or affirmation to state the truth on any subject to any public servant or other person authorised by law to administer such oath or affirmation, makes, to such public servant or other person as aforesaid, touching that subject, any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
IPC Section 181 in BNS: Section 216
False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
Section 181 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation) corresponds to Section 216 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 216 is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; punishment: Imprisonment for 3 years and fine.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 216 | Knowingly stating to a public servant on oath as true that which is false. | Imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
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 216
Full BNS Section 216 and every IPC section it replaced →
Ask CaseMinister about IPC 181 / BNS 216
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.