Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment

What this section does

This section punishes anyone who accepts, attempts to obtain, or agrees to accept any gratification or restitution of property in consideration of concealing an offence, screening a person from legal punishment, or refraining from proceeding against a person for legal punishment. Punishment is graded based on the severity of the underlying offence being screened.

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

Quick reference

Punishment

(a) If the offence being screened is punishable with death — imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, and also liable to fine; (b) If punishable with life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years — imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, and also liable to fine; (c) If punishable with imprisonment not extending to 10 years — imprisonment of the description provided for the offence up to one-fourth of the longest term provided for that offence, or fine, or both.

Triable by

Magistrate of First Class

Cognizable

Depends

Bailable

Depends

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused accepted, attempted to obtain, or agreed to accept any gratification for themselves or another, or any restitution of property
2. The consideration for such gratification or restitution was the concealment of an offence, screening a person from legal punishment, or not proceeding against a person for legal punishment

Derived from IPC s.214.