Section 210 BNS: Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 210 BNS at a Glance
Section 210 BNS deals with omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant by person legally bound to produce it. It is bailable and non-cognizable; it replaced Section 175 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Simple imprisonment for up to one month. Where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court, simple imprisonment for up to six months.
Section 210 BNS Bare Act Text
210. Omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
Whoever, being legally bound to produce or deliver up any document or electronic record to any public servant, as such, intentionally omits so to produce or deliver up the same,—
(a) shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both;
(b) and where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
IllustrationA, being legally bound to produce a document before a District Court, intentionally omits to produce the same. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
Source: Section 210, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 210 BNS in Simple Words
Section 210 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) punishes a person who is legally bound to produce or deliver up any document or electronic record to a public servant, as such, and intentionally omits to do so. The provision ensures that public servants and courts can obtain documents and electronic records that the law requires a person to produce.
Under clause (a), intentional non-production before a public servant is punishable with simple imprisonment up to one month, or a fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. Under clause (b), where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court, the punishment increases to simple imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to ten thousand rupees, or both.
Ingredients of Section 210 BNS
- A legal duty on the accused to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record to a public servant, as such
- Intentional omission by the accused to produce or deliver it up
Punishment Under Section 210 BNS
Simple imprisonment for up to one month. Where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court, simple imprisonment for up to six months.
Fine up to five thousand rupees, or up to ten thousand rupees where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court. The court may impose fine instead of imprisonment or in addition to it.
Intentionally omitting to produce a document or electronic record carries simple imprisonment for up to one month, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. Where it is to be produced or delivered up to a Court, the limits are six months and ten thousand rupees.
Example of Section 210 BNS
When Section 210 BNS Does Not Apply
- The person was not legally bound to produce or deliver up the document or electronic record
- The omission was not intentional
- The document or electronic record was not to be produced or delivered up to a public servant, as such
- The act is omitting to give notice or information, which is punished under Section 211 BNS
Section 210 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 210 BNS replaces Section 175 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 175 IPC is now Section 210 BNS. The title now adds the words or electronic record. The terms of imprisonment of one month and six months are the same. The fines rise from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees and from one thousand rupees to ten thousand rupees. Court of Justice becomes Court, and the two limbs are set out as clauses a and b, the second beginning with the words and where in place of the words or if.
View IPC Section 175 →FAQs on Section 210 BNS
What does Section 210 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cover?▼
Section 210 BNS covers a person who is legally bound to produce or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant but intentionally does not do so. It applies only when there is a legal duty to produce or deliver it. The section also specifically covers non-production before a Court.
What has to be proved for an offence under Section 210 BNS?▼
It must be shown that the person was legally bound to produce or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant, and that the person intentionally omitted to do it. So a mere mistake or inability is not what the section describes. The legal duty and the intentional omission are the key points.
Is Section 210 BNS bailable?▼
Yes. This is a bailable offence, which means bail can be claimed as a matter of right. The accused is normally released on furnishing bail, subject to the usual conditions the court or police may impose.
What is the punishment under Section 210 BNS?▼
If the document or electronic record was to be produced to a public servant, the punishment may extend to simple imprisonment for one month, or fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. If it was to be produced or delivered to a Court, the punishment may extend to simple imprisonment for six months, or fine up to ten thousand rupees, or both. The Court will decide the actual sentence within these limits.
What should I do if I am accused under Section 210 BNS or want to complain about it?▼
If you are accused, collect the notice, order, summons, or other material showing whether you were legally bound to produce the document or electronic record, and whether there was any intentional omission. If you want to complain, keep copies of the direction requiring production and any proof that the person did not comply. Since the section turns on legal duty and intentional non-production, those records matter most.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·