Section 240 BNS: Giving false information respecting an offence committed

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 240 BNS at a Glance

Section 240 BNS deals with giving false information respecting an offence committed. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 203 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 203 →

Section 240 BNS Bare Act Text

240. Giving false information respecting an offence committed

Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, gives any information respecting that offence which he knows or believes to be false, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation

In sections 238 and 239 and in this section the word “offence” includes any act committed at any place out of India, which, if committed in India, would be punishable under any of the following sections, namely, 103, 105, 307, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 309, sub-sections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of section 310, 311, 312, clauses (f) and (g) of section 326, sub-sections (4), (6), (7) and (8) of section 331, clauses (a) and (b) of section 332.

Source: Section 240, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 240 BNS in Simple Words

Section 240 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with giving false information respecting an offence that has been committed. It applies when a person, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, gives any information about that offence which he knows or believes to be false. Under the Explanation, the word offence also includes certain specified acts committed outside India if they would be punishable in India under the listed BNS sections.

This section matters because false information about a committed offence misleads investigations, wastes public resources, and can divert attention from the real offenders. A person can be punished with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

In practice, this section applies where someone knows or has reason to believe an offence has occurred and deliberately gives a false account of it.

Ingredients of Section 240 BNS

  • An offence that has been committed
  • Knowledge or reason to believe on the part of the accused that the offence has been committed
  • Information respecting that offence given by the accused
  • Knowledge or belief of the accused that the information is false

Punishment Under Section 240 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Giving false information respecting an offence committed carries imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 240 BNS

A shop is robbed at night and Devendra sees the robber run towards the railway station. The next morning he tells the police that the robber ran towards the river, though he knows this is not so. Devendra knew that an offence had been committed and gave information respecting it which he knew to be false. He is liable under Section 240 BNS.

When Section 240 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The person did not know or believe the information to be false
  • The person knew nothing of an offence and had no reason to believe one had been committed
  • The person gave no information respecting the offence
  • The act is the intentional omission to give information of an offence by a person legally bound to inform, which is punished under Section 239 BNS

Section 240 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 240 BNS replaces Section 203 IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 203 IPC is now Section 240 BNS, with the same title, the same punishment and the same words in the main paragraph. Only the Explanation differs. It now refers to Sections 238 and 239 BNS in place of Sections 201 and 202 IPC, and it lists BNS sections in place of the IPC sections 302, 304, 382 and the rest of the IPC list.

View IPC Section 203 →

FAQs on Section 240 BNS

What is the main purpose of Section 240 BNS?▼

The section is meant to stop people who know or have reason to believe that an offence has been committed from giving information about that offence which they know or believe to be false. It protects the integrity of criminal investigations.

Does Section 240 BNS apply if I made a mistake, not a lie?▼

No, a genuine mistake is not enough. The prosecution must show that you knew or believed the information was false when you gave it. Honest confusion, wrong memory, or negligence do not meet the requirement of this section.

Can a false FIR or complaint attract Section 240 BNS?▼

Yes, if an offence has been committed and a person gives information about that offence in a complaint or statement knowing or believing the information to be false, this section may apply.

Is Section 240 BNS still in force?▼

Yes. Section 240 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is in force under the new criminal law, having replaced the earlier Indian Penal Code provision for offences committed after the BNS came into effect.

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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 ·