IPC Section 178 — Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
contempt's the lawful authority public servants
Criminal
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to ₹1,000, or both
As the section puts it: “shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both”
Summary
If a person refuses to take an oath or make an affirmation promising to tell the truth, when a public servant who has the legal authority to do so asks them to take that oath or affirmation, that person can be punished. The punishment can be simple imprisonment for up to six months, or a fine of up to one 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 one thousand rupees, or with both.
Old <-> New Code Mapping
- BNS §213 — Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
