IPC 191→BNS 227

IPC 191 to BNS 227: Giving false evidence

Section 191 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 227 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 191 →View BNS Section 227 →

IPC 191 to BNS 227 at a Glance

Section 191 IPC (Giving false evidence) is now Section 227 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 191 to BNS 227?

Section 191 IPC is now Section 227 BNS, with the same title and the same words. The section still defines the term and sets no punishment.

IPC 191 vs BNS 227: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section191227
OffenceGiving false evidenceSame
PunishmentNone of its own. The punishment for false evidence is in Section 193 IPC.None of its own. The punishment for false evidence is in Section 229 BNS.
FineNone of its own. Any fine comes from the section that punishes false evidence.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 191 and BNS 227: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 191, IPC 1860

191. Giving false evidence.—Whoever, being legally bound by an oath or by an express provision of law to state the truth, or being bound by law to make a declaration upon any subject, makes any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, is said to give false evidence. Explanation 1.—A statement is within the meaning of this section, whether it is made verbally or otherwise. Explanation 2.—A false statement as to the belief of the person attesting is within the meaning of this section, and a person may be guilty of giving false evidence by stating that he believes a thing which he does not believe, as well as by stating that he knows a thing which he does not know. Illustrations (a) A, in support of a just claim which B has against Z for one thousand rupees, falsely swears on a trial that he heard Z admit the justice of B's claim. A has given false evidence. (b) A, being bound by an oath to state the truth, states that he believes a certain signature to be the handwriting of Z, when he does not believe it to be the handwriting of Z. Here A states that which he knows to be false, and therefore gives false evidence. (c) A, knowing the general character of Z's handwriting, states that he believes a certain signature to be the handwriting of Z; A in good faith believing it to be so. Here A's statement is merely as to his belief, and is true as to his belief, and therefore, although the signature may not be the handwriting of Z, A has not given false evidence. (d) A, being bound by an oath to state the truth, states that he knows that Z was at a particular place on a particular day, not knowing anything upon the subject. A gives false evidence whether Z was at that place on the day named or not. (e) A, an interpreter or translator, gives or certifies as a true interpretation or translation of a statement or document which he is bound by oath to interpret or translate truly, that which is not and which he does not believe to be a true interpretation or translation. A has given false evidence.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 227, BNS 2023

Whoever, being legally bound by an oath or by an express provision of law to state the truth, or being bound by law to make a declaration upon any subject, makes any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, is said to give false evidence. Explanation 1.—A statement is within the meaning of this section, whether it is made verbally or otherwise. Explanation 2.—A false statement as to the belief of the person attesting is within the meaning of this section, and a person may be guilty of giving false evidence by stating that he believes a thing which he does not believe, as well as by stating that he knows a thing which he does not know. Illustrations. (a) A, in support of a just claim which B has against Z for one thousand rupees, falsely swears on a trial that he heard Z admit the justice of B’s claim. A has given false evidence. (b) A, being bound by an oath to state the truth, states that he believes a certain signature to be the handwriting of Z, when he does not believe it to be the handwriting of Z. Here A states that which he knows to be false, and therefore gives false evidence. (c) A, knowing the general character of Z’s handwriting, states that he believes a certain signature to be the handwriting of Z; A in good faith believing it to be so. Here A’s statement is merely as to his belief, and is true as to his belief, and therefore, although the signature may not be the handwriting of Z, A has not given false evidence. (d) A, being bound by an oath to state the truth, states that he knows that Z was at a particular place on a particular day, not knowing anything upon the subject. A gives false evidence whether Z was at that place on the day named or not. (e) A, an interpreter or translator, gives or certifies as a true interpretation or translation of a statement or document which he is bound by oath to interpret or translate truly, that which is not and which he does not believe to be a true interpretation or translation. A has given false evidence.

Ingredients: IPC 191 vs BNS 227

Under IPC 191
  1. The person was legally bound by an oath or by an express provision of law to state the truth, or was bound by law to make a declaration upon any subject
  2. The person made a statement, whether verbally or otherwise
  3. The statement was false
  4. The person either knew or believed the statement to be false or did not believe it to be true
  5. A false statement as to the belief of the person attesting is enough, so stating a belief he does not hold, or stating knowledge he does not have, is covered
Under BNS 227
  1. A person legally bound by an oath or by an express provision of law to state the truth, or bound by law to make a declaration upon any subject
  2. A false statement, made verbally or otherwise, that the person knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true
  3. A false statement as to the person’s own belief, which is also covered

What IPC 191 to BNS 227 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 191 IPC (now Section 227 BNS): the definition is unchanged, so a charge that relies on it for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 227 BNS and applies the same test as before.

FAQs: IPC 191 to BNS 227

What changed when Section 191 IPC became Section 227 BNS?▼

Only the number. Section 227 BNS repeats the title and the words of Section 191 IPC.

Where does Section 191 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 227 BNS, in Chapter XIV, Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice.

Does Section 191 IPC or Section 227 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 191 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 191 IPC. Section 227 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 ·