Punishment for false evidence
What this section does
Prescribes punishment for giving or fabricating false evidence. A higher punishment applies when the false evidence is given or fabricated for use in a judicial proceeding (including court-martial proceedings and law-directed preliminary investigations). A lower punishment applies in all other cases.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Sub-section (1) – Judicial proceedings: Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years and fine up to ₹10,000. Sub-section (2) – Other proceedings: Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years and fine up to ₹5,000.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused intentionally gave false evidence (as defined in s.227) or fabricated false evidence (as defined in s.228)
- For sub-section (1): the false evidence was given or fabricated for use in any stage of a judicial proceeding
- For sub-section (2): the false evidence was given or fabricated in any other (non-judicial) proceeding
Practitioner note
Explanations 2 and 3 extend 'stage of a judicial proceeding' to include law-directed preliminary investigations and court-directed investigations even when not conducted before a court. Fine is mandatory ('shall also be liable to fine') in both sub-sections.
Derived from IPC s.193.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 229, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 229 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.