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BNS, 2023
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BNSChapter XIIISection 208
Section208

Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant

AI Assist

Summary

Anyone legally required to attend at a specific place and time because of a summons, notice, order or proclamation from a competent public servant who intentionally fails to attend, or leaves before they are lawfully allowed, commits an offence. Punishment is simple imprisonment up to one month, or a fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. If the summons is to attend in person or by agent in a Court, the punishment rises to up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to ten thousand rupees, or both.

Example

Priya receives a summons from a District Judge to appear as a witness in Court on a set date. She intentionally does not attend. She has committed the offence and may face up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to ten thousand rupees, or both.

Bare Act

Enacted text

Whoever, being legally bound to attend in person or by an agent at a certain place and time in obedience to a summons, notice, order, or proclamation proceeding from any public servant legally competent, as such public servant, to issue the same, intentionally omits to attend at that place or time or departs from the place where he is bound to attend before the time at which it is lawful for him to depart,

  • (a) shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both;

  • (b) where the summons, notice, order or proclamation is to attend in person or by agent in a Court with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees,or with both.

Illustrations

  • (a) A, being legally bound to appear before a High Court, in obedience to a subpoena issuing from that Court, intentionally omits to appear. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

  • (b) A, being legally bound to appear before a District Judge, as a witness, in obedience to a summons issued by that District Judge intentionally omits to appear. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

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XIII

Chapter XIII

Of Contempts Of The Lawful Authority Of Public Servants

In this chapter

  • 206Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding
  • 207Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof
  • 208Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant
  • 209Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • 210Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
  • 211Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it
  • 212Furnishing false information
  • 213Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
  • 214Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
  • 215Refusing to sign statement
  • 216False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
  • 217False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person
  • 218Resistance to the taking of property by the lawful authority of a public servant
  • 219Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant
  • 220Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant
  • 221Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions
  • 222Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance
  • 223Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant
  • 224Threat of injury to public servant
  • 225Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant
  • 226Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restraint exercise of lawful power
Previous · Section 207Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereofNext · Section 209Non-appearance in response to a proclamation under section 84 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023