BNS Section 248 — False charge of offence made with intent to injure

CHAPTER XIV OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

Criminal

Summary

Whoever starts or causes someone else to start a criminal case against a person, or falsely accuses a person of committing an offence, while knowing there is no proper or lawful basis for that case or accusation, and does so with the intention of causing injury to that person, is covered by this section.

Under clause (a), such a person shall be punished with imprisonment of either kind for a term that may extend to five years, or with a fine that may extend to two lakh rupees, or with both.

Under clause (b), if the criminal proceeding is started on a false charge of an offence that is punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for ten years or more, then the person shall be punished with imprisonment of either kind for a term that may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to a fine.

Official Text

Whoever, with intent to cause injury to any person, institutes or causes to be instituted any criminal proceeding against that person, or falsely charges any person with having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such proceeding or charge against that person,—

(a) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees, or with both;

(b) if such criminal proceeding be instituted on a false charge of an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for ten years or upwards, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.9 p.283 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §211 — False charge of offence made with intent to injure