Giving false information respecting an offence committed
What this section does
This section penalises a person who, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, gives false information about that offence. An Explanation extends the meaning of 'offence' in sections 238, 239, and this section to include certain acts committed outside India that would be punishable under specified BNS sections if committed in India.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description up to two years, or fine, or both.
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused knew or had reason to believe that an offence had been committed
- The accused gave information about that offence
- The accused knew or believed the information to be false
Practitioner note
The Explanation extends the definition of 'offence' for sections 238, 239, and 240 to cover extraterritorial acts that would constitute specified serious offences if committed in India, including offences relating to murder, dacoity, kidnapping, and related crimes under the BNS.
Derived from IPC s.203.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 240, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 240 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.