Statements to police and use thereof.
What this section does
Statements made by any person to a police officer during investigation cannot be signed by the maker, and cannot be used at any inquiry or trial except as provided. A prosecution witness's reduced-to-writing statement may be used by the accused, or with court permission by the prosecution, to contradict that witness; any part so used may also be used in re-examination to explain matters raised in cross-examination. An omission to state a fact may amount to a contradiction if it is significant and relevant in context, which is a question of fact.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Procedure at a glance
- Key actors
- Police officer · Accused · Prosecution · Court · Witness
- Time limit
- None specified
Derived from CrPC s.162.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNSS Section 181, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNSS Section 181 forms part of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 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.