Section 182 IPC (False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person) is now Section 217 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and non-cognizable. What changed is set out below.
What Changed From IPC 182 to BNS 217?
Section 182 IPC is now Section 217 BNS. The elements and the illustrations are in the same words, but the maximum imprisonment rises from six months to one year and the maximum fine rises from one thousand rupees to ten thousand rupees. The BNS title also drops the word the before injury.
IPC 182 vs BNS 217: Comparison Table
Aspect
IPC 1860 (repealed)
BNS 2023 (in force)
Section
182
217
Offence
False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person
Same
Punishment
Imprisonment of either description for up to six months.
Imprisonment of either description for up to one year.
Fine
Fine of up to one thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Fine of up to ten thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Bail
Bailable
Same
Cognizance
Non-Cognizable
Same
Compoundable
Non-Compoundable
Same
Triable By
Any Magistrate
Same
IPC 182 and BNS 217: Bare Act Text Side by Side
IPC 1860 (repealed)
Section 182, IPC 1860
182. False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person.—Whoever gives to any public servant any information which he knows or believes to be false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, such public servant— (a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit if the true state of facts respecting which such information is given were known by him, or (b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance of any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Illustrations
(a) A informs a Magistrate that Z, a police-officer, subordinate to such Magistrate, has been guilty of neglect of duty or misconduct, knowing such information to be false, and knowing it to be likely that the information will cause the Magistrate to dismiss Z. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
(b) A falsely informs a public servant that Z has contraband salt in a secret place, knowing such information to be false, and knowing that it is likely that the consequence of the information will be a search of Z's premises, attended with annoyance to Z. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
(c) A falsely informs a policeman that he has been assaulted and robbed in the neighbourhood of a particular village. He does not mention the name of any person as one of his assailants, but knows it to be likely that in consequence of this information the police will make enquiries and institute searches in the village to the annoyance of the villagers or some of them. A has committed an offence under this section.
BNS 2023 (in force)
Section 217, BNS 2023
Whoever gives to any public servant any information which he knows or believes to be false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, such public servant— (a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit if the true state of facts respecting which such information is given were known by him; or (b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance of any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
Illustrations.
(a) A informs a Magistrate that Z, a police officer, subordinate to such Magistrate, has been guilty of neglect of duty or misconduct, knowing such information to be false, and knowing it to be likely that the information will cause the Magistrate to dismiss Z. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
(b) A falsely informs a public servant that Z has contraband salt in a secret place, knowing such information to be false, and knowing that it is likely that the consequence of the information will be a search of Z’s premises, attended with annoyance to Z. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
(c) A falsely informs a policeman that he has been assaulted and robbed in the neighbourhood of a particular village. He does not mention the name of any person as one of his assailants, but knows it to be likely that in consequence of this information the police will make enquiries and institute searches in the village to the annoyance of the villagers or some of them. A has committed an offence under this section.
Ingredients: IPC 182 vs BNS 217
Under IPC 182
The accused gave information to a public servant
The accused knew or believed the information to be false
The accused intended, or knew it to be likely, that the public servant would thereby do or omit something he ought not to do or omit if he knew the true state of facts
Alternatively, the accused intended, or knew it to be likely, that the public servant would thereby use his lawful power to the injury or annoyance of any person
Under BNS 217
Information given to a public servant that the giver knows or believes to be false
Intention, or knowledge of likelihood, that the public servant will thereby do or omit what he ought not to, or use his lawful power to the injury or annoyance of any person
What IPC 182 to BNS 217 Means for Pending Cases
For Section 182 IPC (now Section 217 BNS): the elements are unchanged, but the maximum punishment is higher, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 217 BNS and carries up to one year of imprisonment, or fine of up to ten thousand rupees, or both.
FAQs: IPC 182 to BNS 217
What changed when Section 182 IPC became Section 217 BNS?▼
The punishment. Section 217 BNS keeps the elements and the illustrations of Section 182 IPC, but raises the maximum imprisonment from six months to one year and the maximum fine from one thousand rupees to ten thousand rupees.
Where does Section 182 IPC sit in the BNS?▼
In Section 217 BNS, in Chapter XIII, Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants.
Does Section 182 IPC or Section 217 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼
Section 182 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 182 IPC. Section 217 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.
Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.
Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·