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

Summary

A person who is legally required to tell the truth to a public servant, and who refuses to answer a question asked by that public servant on that subject, where the public servant is acting within their legal powers, commits an offence. 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, 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.

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)
• 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)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §179 — Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question