Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence

What this section does

This section penalises anyone who hides, destroys, obliterates, or renders illegible any document or electronic record that they are legally compellable to produce as evidence before a court or public servant, with the intention of preventing its use as evidence. The offence also covers such acts done after a lawful summons to produce the document has been served.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 3 years, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both.

Triable by

Magistrate of First Class

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused secreted, destroyed, obliterated, or rendered illegible a document or electronic record
2. The document or electronic record was one the accused could be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence before a court or public servant
3. The act was done with the intention of preventing the document or electronic record from being produced or used as evidence, or was done after a lawful summons to produce it had been served

Derived from IPC s.204.