BNS Section 256 — Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture

CHAPTER XIV OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

Criminal

Summary

A public servant who is officially responsible for preparing any record or other writing commits an offence if they frame that record or writing in a way they know to be incorrect. This applies when they do so with the intent to cause, or knowing it is likely to cause, loss or injury to the public or to any person. It also applies when they act with the intent to save, or knowing it is likely to save, any person from legal punishment, or with the intent to save, or knowing they are likely to save, any property from forfeiture or other charge that the property is liable to by law. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to three years, or a fine, or both.

Official Text

Whoever, being a public servant, and being as such public servant, charged with the preparation of any record or other writing, frames that record or writing in a manner which he knows to be incorrect, with intent to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, loss or injury to the public or to any person, or with intent thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or other charge to which it is liable by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Related Judgments

  • ... Petitioner/Accused vs 1. The State rep by — Madras High Court (2010)
  • 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)
  • CRL RC/603/2003 — Madras High Court (2003)
  • S.C.R. SUPREME COURT REPORTS STATE OF PUN.JAB v. JOGINDER SINGH 169 — Supreme Court of India (S)
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §218 — Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture