Section 257 BNS: Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 257 BNS at a Glance
Section 257 BNS deals with public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; it replaced Section 219 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
Section 257 BNS Bare Act Text
257. Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law
Whoever, being a public servant, corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces in any stage of a judicial proceeding, any report, order, verdict, or decision which he knows to be contrary to law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 257, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 257 BNS in Simple Words
Section 257 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) punishes a public servant who corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces, at any stage of a judicial proceeding, any report, order, verdict, or decision which he knows to be contrary to law.
This provision targets deliberate abuse of authority in judicial proceedings rather than honest errors of judgment or interpretation. If a public servant acts corruptly or maliciously while knowing that the report, order, verdict, or decision is contrary to law, the offence is punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
Ingredients of Section 257 BNS
- Status of the accused as a public servant in a judicial proceeding
- Making or pronouncing of a report, order, verdict, or decision
- Knowledge that the report, order, verdict, or decision is contrary to law
- Corrupt or malicious intention in making or pronouncing it
Punishment Under Section 257 BNS
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Corruptly or maliciously making or pronouncing a report, order, verdict, or decision known to be contrary to law in a judicial proceeding carries imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 257 BNS
When Section 257 BNS Does Not Apply
- The accused was not a public servant at the time of making or pronouncing the report, order, verdict, or decision
- The act did not occur in any stage of a judicial proceeding
- The accused did not make or pronounce any report, order, verdict, or decision
- The report, order, verdict, or decision was made without corrupt or malicious intent, or without knowledge that it was contrary to law
Section 257 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 257 BNS replaces Section 219 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 219 IPC is now Section 257 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.
View IPC Section 219 →FAQs on Section 257 BNS
What does Section 257 of the BNS punish?▼
Section 257 of the BNS punishes a public servant who corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces a report, order, verdict, or decision in any stage of a judicial proceeding, knowing that it is contrary to law. The section applies only when the act is done in a judicial proceeding and with that wrongful state of mind.
What has to be proved under Section 257 of the BNS?▼
It must be shown that the person was a public servant and that the act happened at some stage of a judicial proceeding. It must also be proved that the report, order, verdict, or decision was made corruptly or maliciously, and that the person knew it was contrary to law.
Is Section 257 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 257 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?▼
The punishment under Section 257 of the BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or fine, or both. The exact sentence depends on the facts of the case and the court's decision.
How is Section 257 of the BNS different from a simple legal mistake by a public servant?▼
A simple legal mistake is not what this section targets. Section 257 applies when a public servant corruptly or maliciously gives a report, order, verdict, or decision in a judicial proceeding while knowing that it is contrary to law.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·