BNS Section 206 — Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding

Summary

Whoever hides or runs away to avoid being served with a summons, notice, or order that comes from a public servant who is legally authorised to issue it, commits an offence under this section.

Under clause (a), the punishment for such absconding is simple imprisonment for up to one month, or a fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Under clause (b), if the summons, notice, or order requires the person to appear in person or by agent, or to produce a document or an electronic record in a Court, the punishment is more severe: simple imprisonment for up to six months, or a fine of up to ten thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever absconds in order to avoid being served with a summons, notice or order proceeding from any public servant legally competent, as such public servant, to issue such summons, notice or order,—

(a) shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both;

(b) where such summons or notice or order is to attend in person or by agent, or to produce a document or an electronic record in a Court shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §172 — Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding