CHAPTER XIV OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

Section 248: False charge of offence made with intent to injure

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Whoever, with intent to cause injury to any person, institutes or causes to be instituted any criminal proceeding against that person, or falsely charges any person with having committed an offence, knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for such proceeding or charge against that person,—

(a) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees, or with both;

(b) if such criminal proceeding be instituted on a false charge of an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for ten years or upwards, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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

248	211. False charge of offence made with intent to injure.

Questions on this section

1 question in 3 of our papers cite Section 248. Try these from the free papers:

1. Assertion (A): Under Section 248 BNS, a person who, with intent to cause injury, institutes a criminal proceeding against another knowing that there is no just or lawful ground for it, is punishable with imprisonment up to five years, or with fine up to two lakh rupees, or with both. Reason (R): Where such a proceeding is instituted on a false charge of an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for ten years or upwards, the punishment under Section 248 may extend to ten years' imprisonment and fine.

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita