Section 167 IPC: Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 167 IPC at a Glance
Section 167 IPC deals with public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 201 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for up to three years.
Section 167 IPC Bare Act Text
167. Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury
Whoever, being a public servant, and being, as such public servant, charged with the preparation or translation of any document or electronic record, frames, prepares or translates that document or electronic record in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect, intending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 167, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 167 IPC in Simple Words
Section 167 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a public servant who is charged, as such public servant, with the preparation or translation of a document or electronic record and frames, prepares or translates it in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect, intending to cause injury to any person or knowing it to be likely that he may cause injury to any person.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both.
The offence is cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Ingredients of Section 167 IPC
- The accused was a public servant
- As such public servant, the accused was charged with the preparation or translation of the document or electronic record
- The accused framed, prepared or translated that document or electronic record in a manner which he knew or believed to be incorrect
- The accused intended to cause injury to any person or knew it to be likely that he might cause injury to any person
Punishment Under Section 167 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for up to three years.
The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Framing, preparing or translating an incorrect document or electronic record with intent to cause injury carries imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 167 IPC
When Section 167 IPC Does Not Apply
- The individual who prepared or translated the record was not a public servant.
- Preparing or translating the document or electronic record was not part of the public servant's official duties.
- The inaccuracy in the document or electronic record resulted from an accidental clerical error, and the public servant neither knew nor believed it to be incorrect.
- The public servant had no intention to cause injury to any person and did not know that the incorrect entry was likely to cause injury.
Section 167 IPC in the BNS
Section 167 IPC is now covered under Section 201 BNS.
Section 167 IPC is now Section 201 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.
View detailed comparison (IPC 167 vs BNS 201) →FAQs on Section 167 IPC
What does Section 167 IPC provide?▼
It punishes a public servant who is charged, as such public servant, with the preparation or translation of a document or electronic record and frames, prepares or translates it in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect, intending to cause injury to any person or knowing it to be likely that he may cause injury to any person.
What is the punishment under Section 167 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for up to three years, or fine, or both.
Who can be punished under Section 167 IPC?▼
A public servant who is charged, as such public servant, with the preparation or translation of the document or electronic record.
What state of mind does Section 167 IPC require?▼
The public servant must know or believe the document or electronic record to be incorrect as he frames, prepares or translates it. He must also intend to cause injury to any person or know it to be likely that he may cause injury to any person.
What does injury mean in Section 167 IPC?▼
Section 44 IPC defines injury as any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property.
Does Section 167 IPC cover an electronic record?▼
Yes. The section names a document or electronic record.
How does Section 167 IPC differ from Section 166 IPC?▼
Section 166 IPC punishes a public servant who knowingly disobeys a direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending to cause injury to any person or knowing it to be likely that he will cause injury by the disobedience. The punishment is simple imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both. Section 167 IPC concerns a document or electronic record which the public servant frames, prepares or translates in a manner he knows or believes to be incorrect.
Is an offence under Section 167 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is cognizable and bailable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 167 IPC?▼
A Magistrate of the first class.
Can an offence under Section 167 IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 167 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 201 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·