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Wednesday, 11 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XIII: Of Contempts Of The Lawful Authority Of Public Servants

Section 214 BNS: Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

Corresponding IPC
Section 179 IPC
Punishment
Simple imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to Rs 5,000, or both

Classification of offence

SectionCognizable?Bailable?Triable by
214Non-cognizableBailableAny Magistrate

As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Bare Act text

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.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

Punishes refusing to answer a question put by a public servant who is legally authorised to question a person bound to state the truth.

Chapter XIII: Of Contempts Of The Lawful Authority Of Public Servants

  1. 206 Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding
  2. 207 Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof
  3. 208 Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant
  4. 209 Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  5. 210 Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
  6. 211 Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it
  7. 212 Furnishing false information
  8. 213 Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
  9. 214 Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
  10. 215 Refusing to sign statement
  11. 216 False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
  12. 217 False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person
  13. 218 Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of a public servant
  14. 219 Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant
  15. 220 Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant
  16. 221 Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
  17. 222 Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance
  18. 223 Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant
  19. 224 Threat of injury to public servant
  20. 225 Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant
  21. 226 Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power
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