Section 215 BNS: Refusing to sign statement

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 215 BNS at a Glance

Section 215 BNS deals with refusing to sign statement. It is bailable and non-cognizable; it replaced Section 180 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for up to three 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 180 →

Section 215 BNS Bare Act Text

215. Refusing to sign statement

Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 215, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 215 BNS in Simple Words

Section 215 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with a simple but important duty. If a person makes a statement and is required to sign it by a public servant who is legally competent to require that signature, he cannot refuse to do so. The law is aimed at ensuring that official records are properly authenticated when the law demands a signature. This provision generally applies where a public servant is recording a statement in the course of lawful duty, and the person making the statement is asked to sign it.

The section does not punish a person for refusing to sign every statement. The statement must be one made by that person, and the public servant requiring the signature must be legally competent to require it. In practice, this helps public authorities maintain reliable records and prevents a person from later denying what was formally recorded before the officer.

Ingredients of Section 215 BNS

  • A statement made by the accused, which a legally competent public servant required the accused to sign
  • Refusal by the accused to sign that statement

Punishment Under Section 215 BNS

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for up to three months.

Fine

Fine of up to three 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 sign a statement when legally required by a public servant carries simple imprisonment for up to three months, or fine of up to three thousand rupees, or both.

Example of Section 215 BNS

Gopal gives a statement to a municipal officer named Anil, who is legally competent to require that Gopal sign it. Anil records the statement and asks Gopal to sign it. Gopal refuses to sign. Gopal is liable under Section 215 BNS.

When Section 215 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The statement was not made by the person asked to sign it
  • The person was never required to sign the statement
  • The person who required the signature was not a public servant
  • The public servant was not legally competent to require that the person sign the statement
  • The person signed the statement, so there was no refusal

Section 215 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 215 BNS replaces Section 180 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 180 IPC is now Section 215 BNS, with the same title and the same words. The one change is the fine: the limit is raised from five hundred rupees to three thousand rupees. The term of simple imprisonment is still up to three months.

View IPC Section 180 →

FAQs on Section 215 BNS

When does Section 215 BNS apply?▼

It applies when a person refuses to sign a statement made by him after being required to sign it by a public servant who is legally competent to require that signature. If the public servant has no legal authority to require the signature, this section will not apply.

Under Section 215 BNS, is every refusal to sign punishable?▼

No. The law is limited to cases where signing is legally required by a competent public servant. If the signature is demanded without legal authority, this section does not apply.

What is the punishment under Section 215 BNS?▼

The punishment is simple imprisonment up to 3 months, or fine up to Rs. 3,000, or both. It is a minor offence, but it still matters because it affects the authenticity of official records.

Who must require the signature for Section 215 BNS to apply?▼

The requirement to sign must come from a public servant who is legally competent to require the person to sign that statement. If the demand is made by someone who is not a public servant or lacks legal authority to require the signature, this section does not apply.

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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 ·