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LawpatraLawpatra
BNS, 2023
Start Practicing
BNSChapter XIIISection 215
Section215

Refusing to sign statement

AI Assist

Summary

Refusing to sign a statement you made, when a public servant who is legally entitled to require your signature asks you to sign, is an offence. It carries simple imprisonment up to three months, or a fine up to ₹3,000, or both. The offence is non-cognizable and bailable and is tried by the local court or magistrate.

Example

Priya gives a written statement at her local police station. The investigating officer, who can legally require her signature, asks her to sign but she refuses. Under this rule she may face up to three months simple imprisonment, or a fine up to ₹3,000, or both.

Bare Act

Enacted text

Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.

BNSS Classification

  • Simple imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 3,000 rupees, or both.
  • Non-cognizable
  • Bailable
  • Triable by The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVIII; or, if not committed, in a Court, any Magistrate.
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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 214Refusing to answer public servant authorised to questionNext · Section 216False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation