CHAPTER XIII OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

Section 214: Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Whoever, being legally bound to state the truth on any subject to any public servant, refuses to answer any question demanded of him touching that subject by such public servant in the exercise of the legal powers of such public servant, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Corresponding IPC provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

214	179. Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.

Leading cases

Nandini Satpathy v. P.L. Dani (1978)Decided on IPC section 179The Court held that Article 20(3) and Section 161(2) CrPC protect an accused during police interrogation, cover exposure to other pending or imminent charges, and bar psychologically compelled answers; the Section 179 IPC prosecution was quashed.

Questions on this section

1 question in 5 of our papers cite Section 214.

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita