IPC Section 204 — Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence

Summary

Whoever hides or destroys a document or electronic record that they are legally required to produce as evidence in a court or before a public servant, or makes any part of it unreadable, with the intent to stop it from being used as evidence, faces up to two years in prison, a fine, or both. This applies even after they have been officially ordered to produce that document or record.

Official Text

Whoever secrets or destroys any document or electronic record which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court of Justice, or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such document or electronic record with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Related Judgments

• S.C.R. 1215 S. PALANI VELAYUTHAM & ORS v. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, TIRUNVELVELI, TAMIL NADU & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2009)
• T.K. LATHIKA v. SETH KARSANDAS JAMNADAS AUGUST 31, 1999 — Supreme Court of India (S)
• SC (2024) Vol.4 p.591 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (1954) Vol.1 p.1077 — Supreme Court of India (1954)
• 3. Selvaman ... Appellants 1 to 3/Accused vs State by Inspector of Police, — Madras High Court (2007)
• SOCIAL ACTION FORUM FOR MANAV ADHIKAR AND ANOTHER v. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE AND OTHERS — Supreme Court of India (2018)
• SC (2008) Vol.16 p.1179 — Supreme Court of India (2008)
• ..Petitioner vs 1. P.K.Mishra — Madras High Court ()

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §241 — Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence