Section 214 BNS: Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 214 BNS at a Glance

Section 214 BNS deals with refusing to answer public servant authorised to question. It is bailable and non-cognizable; it replaced Section 179 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for up to six months.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVI; or, if not committed in a Court, any Magistrate ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 179 →

Section 214 BNS Bare Act Text

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.

Source: Section 214, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 214 BNS in Simple Words

Section 214 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with a person who is legally bound to answer a public servant’s question, but intentionally refuses to do so. The duty to answer must arise from law. It is not enough that a public servant asks a question. The officer must be lawfully authorised to ask it, and the person must have a legal obligation to respond.

This section usually applies where a person gives a deliberate refusal, not where they are genuinely unable to answer or are protected by some legal privilege. In practice, it is used when a person obstructs an authorised inquiry by staying silent or refusing to state facts that the law requires them to disclose. The offence is minor, but it can matter in police, revenue, municipal, and other official proceedings where truthful answers are needed for lawful administration.

Ingredients of Section 214 BNS

  • A legal duty of the accused to state the truth on a subject to a public servant
  • A question on that subject demanded by the public servant in the exercise of his legal powers
  • Refusal by the accused to answer that question

Punishment Under Section 214 BNS

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for up to six months.

Fine

Fine of up to five thousand rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVI; or, if not committed in a Court, any Magistrate ⓘ

Refusing to answer a public servant authorised to question carries simple imprisonment for up to six months, or fine of up to five thousand rupees, or both.

Example of Section 214 BNS

A revenue officer holds an inquiry into a land record and puts a question about it to a landowner named Aman. Aman is legally bound to state the truth on that subject to the officer. The officer asks the question in the exercise of his legal powers. Aman refuses to answer it. Aman is liable under Section 214 BNS.

When Section 214 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The person was not legally bound to state the truth on the subject to the public servant
  • The person who asked the question was not a public servant
  • The question did not touch the subject on which the person was legally bound to state the truth
  • The public servant was not acting in the exercise of his legal powers in demanding the answer
  • The person did not refuse to answer the question

Section 214 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 214 BNS replaces Section 179 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 179 IPC is now Section 214 BNS, with the same title and the same words. The one change is the fine: the limit is raised from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees. The term of simple imprisonment is still up to six months.

View IPC Section 179 →

FAQs on Section 214 BNS

Under Section 214 BNS, can I be punished if I simply stay silent before a government officer?▼

Not always. Punishment applies only when the law specifically requires you to answer and you deliberately refuse. If you have a legal right to remain silent, or the question is not lawfully asked, Section 214 BNS will not apply.

Does Section 214 BNS apply during police questioning?▼

It can apply if the police officer is legally authorised to ask the question and you are under a legal duty to answer. But not every police question creates an obligation to reply. The facts and the legal authority behind the question matter.

What is the punishment under Section 214 BNS?▼

The punishment is simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or both. It is a minor, bailable offence.

Is Section 214 BNS still in force?▼

Yes. Section 214 BNS is in force under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and governs refusing to answer a public servant who is legally authorised to question you on a subject on which you are legally bound to state the truth.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·