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 one thousand rupees, or with both.
CHAPTER X OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
Section 179: Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (repealed)
Repealed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024.
Now in the BNS
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
| 179. Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question. | BNS 214 |