Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 215
Refusing to sign statement
In one line
BNS Section 215 deals with refusing to sign statement and replaces IPC 180.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 | Refusing to sign a statement made to a public servant when legally required to do so. | Simple imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 3,000 rupees, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVIII; or, if not committed, in a Court, any Magistrate. |
Source: First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The punishment column is the Schedule’s summary; the section text below is what prescribes the punishment. Classification decides procedure (arrest, bail as of right, which court), not the result of any particular case.
Bare act text — BNS 215
215. Refusing to sign statement.
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.
What changed from the IPC
- IPC 180 → BNS 215: Upper limit of fine is increased from five hundred to three thousand rupees.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 215 in the IPC?
BNS Section 215 (Refusing to sign statement) replaces Section 180 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 180 is now BNS 215.
What is the punishment under BNS 215?
Refusing to sign a statement made to a public servant when legally required to do so – punishable 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. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and 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.
Is BNS 215 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 215. Bail in a non-bailable offence is at the court's discretion; the classification decides procedure, not the outcome of a particular bail application.
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Nearby BNS sections
- BNS 210 — Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
- BNS 211 — Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it
- BNS 212 — Furnishing false information
- BNS 213 — Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it
- BNS 214 — Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question
- BNS 216 — False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorised to administer an oath or affirmation
- BNS 217 — False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person
- BNS 218 — Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority of a public servant
- BNS 219 — Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant
- BNS 220 — Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant