BNS · Section 215 · Chapter XIII — OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
Refusing to sign statement
What this section does
Creates an offence of refusing to sign a statement made by the accused when a legally competent public servant requires the signature on that statement.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Simple imprisonment up to 3 months, or fine up to ₹3,000, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused made a statement
- A public servant legally competent to require a signature on that statement directed the accused to sign it
- The accused refused to sign the statement
Old-law correspondence
Derived from IPC s.180.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 215, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 215 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.