BNS Section 210 — Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it

CHAPTER XIII OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

Criminal

Summary

A person who is legally required to produce or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant, and who intentionally fails to do so, commits an offence under this section.

Under clause (a), if the document or record was to be produced to a public servant generally, the punishment is simple imprisonment for up to one month, or a fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Under clause (b), if the document or record was to be produced or delivered to 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, being legally bound to produce or deliver up any document or electronic record to any public servant, as such, intentionally omits so to produce or deliver up the same,—

(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) and where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court 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.

Illustration. A, being legally bound to produce a document before a District Court, intentionally omits to produce the same. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

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 (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • ... Petitioner/Accused vs State rep. By — Madras High Court (2009)
  • SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §175 — Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it