Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
What this section does
Penalises a person who is legally bound to state the truth on a subject to a public servant but refuses to answer questions put to him by that public servant in the exercise of the servant's legal powers.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Simple imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused was legally bound to state the truth on a subject to a public servant
- The public servant demanded an answer to a question touching that subject in the exercise of legal powers
- The accused refused to answer such question
Derived from IPC s.179.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 214, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 214 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.