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.
Section 216 BNS: False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
- Corresponding IPC
- Section 181 IPC
- Punishment
- Imprisonment (either description) up to 3 years, and fine
Classification of offence
| Section | Cognizable? | Bailable? | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 216 | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Bare Act text
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 a false statement made on oath or affirmation to a public servant or other person authorised to administer it, when legally bound to state the truth.
Chapter XIII: Of Contempts Of The Lawful Authority Of Public Servants
- 206 Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding
- 207 Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof
- 208 Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant
- 209 Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- 210 Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
- 211 Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it
- 212 Furnishing false information
- 213 Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
- 214 Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
- 215 Refusing to sign statement
- 216 False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
- 217 False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person
- 218 Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of a public servant
- 219 Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant
- 220 Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant
- 221 Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
- 222 Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance
- 223 Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant
- 224 Threat of injury to public servant
- 225 Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant
- 226 Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain exercise of lawful power