Section 234 BNS: Issuing or signing false certificate

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 234 BNS at a Glance

Section 234 BNS deals with issuing or signing false certificate. It is bailable and non-cognizable; it replaced Section 197 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

The section sets no term of its own. The offender is punished in the same manner as for giving false evidence, which is punished under Section 229 BNS.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court by which offence of giving false evidence is triable ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 197 →

Section 234 BNS Bare Act Text

234. Issuing or signing false certificate

Whoever issues or signs any certificate required by law to be given or signed, or relating to any fact of which such certificate is by law admissible in evidence, knowing or believing that such certificate is false in any material point, shall be punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence.

Source: Section 234, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 234 BNS in Simple Words

Section 234 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with issuing or signing a false certificate. It applies when any person issues or signs a certificate required by law to be given or signed, or relating to any fact of which such a certificate is by law admissible in evidence, knowing or believing that the certificate is false in any material point. A person who does so is punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence.

Certificates are often used for court proceedings, official verification, and other legal purposes where the law requires a certificate or makes it admissible in evidence. If a certificate that is false in a material point is knowingly issued or signed, it can mislead courts and authorities, which is why the law equates the punishment with giving false evidence.

Ingredients of Section 234 BNS

  • A certificate required by law to be given or signed, or relating to a fact of which such a certificate is by law admissible in evidence
  • Issuing or signing that certificate by the accused
  • Knowledge or belief of the accused that the certificate is false in a material point

Punishment Under Section 234 BNS

Imprisonment

The section sets no term of its own. The offender is punished in the same manner as for giving false evidence, which is punished under Section 229 BNS.

Fine

The section sets no fine of its own. The fine is the one for giving false evidence.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court by which offence of giving false evidence is triable ⓘ

Issuing or signing a certificate known or believed to be false in a material point is punished in the same manner as giving false evidence.

Example of Section 234 BNS

Ravi issues and signs a certificate that the law requires to be given. Ravi knows that the certificate is false in a material point. Ravi is liable under Section 234 BNS and is punished in the same manner as if he had given false evidence.

When Section 234 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The accused did not issue or sign a certificate
  • The certificate was neither required by law to be given or signed, nor related to a fact of which such a certificate is by law admissible in evidence
  • The certificate was not false in a material point
  • The accused neither knew nor believed that the certificate was false
  • The act is using as true a certificate known to be false, which is punished under Section 235 BNS

Section 234 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 234 BNS replaces Section 197 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 197 IPC is now Section 234 BNS, with the same title and the same words. The punishment is still the same as for giving false evidence, but that punishment now sits in Section 229 BNS, which caps the fine at ten thousand rupees or five thousand rupees where the IPC fixed no amount.

View IPC Section 197 →

FAQs on Section 234 BNS

Who can be punished under Section 234 BNS?▼

Section 234 BNS applies to anyone who issues or signs a certificate required by law to be given or signed, or relating to any fact of which such certificate is by law admissible in evidence, knowing or believing that the certificate is false in any material point.

Does a simple mistake in a certificate attract Section 234 BNS?▼

Usually no. The law requires knowledge or belief that the certificate is false. A genuine clerical error or honest mistake is not enough by itself, though other provisions may still apply in some cases.

Under Section 234 BNS, what kind of certificates are covered?▼

The section covers any certificate required by law to be given or signed, or relating to any fact of which such a certificate is by law admissible in evidence, when it is false in any material point.

Is Section 234 BNS still in force under the new criminal law?▼

Yes. Section 234 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is in force under the new criminal law, having replaced the earlier Indian Penal Code provision. The legal rule remains the same, though the section numbering has changed.

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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 ·