Dishonestly making false claim in Court
What this section does
This section penalises anyone who makes a false claim in a court fraudulently, dishonestly, or with intent to injure or annoy any person, knowing the claim to be false. Both imprisonment and fine are mandatory upon conviction.
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 2 years, and also liable to fine (fine is mandatory).
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused made a claim in a court
- The claim was false and the accused knew it to be false
- The claim was made fraudulently, dishonestly, or with intent to injure or annoy any person
Practitioner note
Unlike several adjacent sections, the fine is mandatory ('shall also be liable to fine') rather than discretionary.
Derived from IPC s.209.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 246, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 246 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.