Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 240
Giving false information respecting an offence committed
In one line
BNS Section 240 deals with giving false information respecting an offence committed and replaces IPC 203.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | Giving false information respecting an offence committed. | Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | 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 240
240. Giving false information respecting an offence committed.
Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, gives any information respecting that offence which he knows or believes to be false, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Explanation.—In sections 238 and 239 and in this section the word “offence” includes any act committed at any place out of India, which, if committed in India, would be punishable under any of the following sections, namely, 103, 105, 307, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 309, sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of section 310, 311, 312, clauses (f) and (g) of section 326, sub-sections (4), (6), (7) and (8) of section 331, clauses (a) and (b) of section 332.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 240 in the IPC?
BNS Section 240 (Giving false information respecting an offence committed) replaces Section 203 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 203 is now BNS 240.
What is the punishment under BNS 240?
Giving false information respecting an offence committed – punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
Is BNS 240 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 240. 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 235 — Using as true a certificate known to be false
- BNS 236 — False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence
- BNS 237 — Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false
- BNS 238 — Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender
- BNS 239 — Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform
- BNS 241 — Destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence
- BNS 242 — False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution
- BNS 243 — Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- BNS 244 — Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure as forfeited or in execution
- BNS 245 — Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due