BNS §214

Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: editor verifiedconsolidation context(precautionary)
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Text verified against official sources where indicated. Field-level labels (AI-indicated / AI-inferred / Text-verified) apply per edge metadata. Verify current bail/cognizable status against official sources before relying on procedural claims. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

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Comparison

Old law
IPC §179
Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

179. Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.—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.

New law
BNS §214
Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

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 five thousand rupees, or with both.

What changedAI-inferred

IPC 179 (refusing to answer question by public servant authorised to ask) is preserved as BNS 214 with fine cap modernisation (5x). Imprisonment ceiling (6 months) preserved.

Old position

IPC 179 is concerned with Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question. Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

New position

BNS 214 modifies the framework. Topic: Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question. 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,

IPC 179 (refusing to answer question by public servant authorised to ask) is preserved as BNS 214 with fine cap modernisation (5x). Imprisonment ceiling (6 months) preserved.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNS-214 reproduces IPC-179's framework on refusing to answer public servant authorised to question character-identically. Historical-amendment brackets are incorporated as plain text. Punishment levels are preserved.

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 179 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 214 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.

Frequently asked

BNS 214 (Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question). The relationship is classified as modified — see the change-note above for the textual delta.

Government source

The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.

Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §179 → BNS §214 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/bns/214.

Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01

Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.