BNS Section 213 — Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it

Summary

Whoever refuses to take an oath or make an affirmation to tell the truth, when a public servant who is legally authorised to demand it requires them to do so, commits an offence. This applies when the person is asked to bind themselves to state the truth in a formal manner.

The punishment for this refusal is simple imprisonment for up to six months, or a fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Official Text

Whoever refuses to bind himself by an oath or affirmation to state the truth, when required so to bind himself by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall so bind himself, 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.

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)
• KIRAN BEDI & ORS v. COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY & ANR. JANUARY 4, 1989 B — Supreme Court of India (1989)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §178 — Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it