Section 175 IPC: Omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 175 IPC at a Glance

Section 175 IPC deals with omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it. It is bailable and non-cognizable; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 210 BNS.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for up to one month. Where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, simple imprisonment for up to six 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 ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 210 →

Section 175 IPC Bare Act Text

175. Omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it
Whoever, being legally bound to produce or deliver up any document or electronic record to any public servant, as such, intentionally omits so to produce or deliver up the same, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both; or, if the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Illustration
A, being legally bound to produce a document before a District Court, intentionally omits to produce the same. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

Source: Section 175, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 175 IPC in Simple Words

Section 175 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a person who is legally bound to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record to a public servant, as such, and intentionally omits to do so. The punishment is simple imprisonment for up to one month, or fine up to five hundred rupees, or both.

The punishment is higher where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice. It is then simple imprisonment for up to six months, or fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.

The offence is non-cognizable and bailable. It is triable by the Court in which the offence is committed, subject to Chapter XXVI of the CrPC, or, if it is not committed in a Court, by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 175 IPC

The accused was legally bound to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record
The document or electronic record was to be produced or delivered up to a public servant, as such
The accused intentionally omitted to produce or deliver it up
If it was to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, the higher punishment applies

Punishment Under Section 175 IPC

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for up to one month. Where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, simple imprisonment for up to six months.

Fine

Fine up to five hundred rupees, or up to one thousand rupees where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice. The court may impose fine instead of imprisonment or in addition to it.

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 ⓘ

Intentionally omitting to produce a document or electronic record carries simple imprisonment for up to one month, or fine up to five hundred rupees, or both. Where it is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, the limits are six months and one thousand rupees.

Example of Section 175 IPC

In March 2021, Arvind received a lawful summons in Pune making him legally bound to deliver up an original sale deed to a tax officer acting in an official capacity as a public servant. Arvind had the sale deed in his office desk, knew he was required to hand it over on the appointed day, and intentionally omitted to produce or deliver up the document to the officer. Because the document was to be delivered to a public servant and not to a Court of Justice, the first limb applied. Arvind is punishable under Section 175 IPC.

When Section 175 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 175 IPC does not apply where the person had no legal obligation to produce or hand over the document or electronic record.
A failure to produce the document or electronic record through accident, loss, or forgetfulness rather than an intentional omission is outside Section 175 IPC.
The provision is inapplicable if the recipient was a private individual or was not acting in the capacity of a public servant.
Withholding a notice or oral information rather than a document or electronic record is governed by Section 176 IPC instead of Section 175 IPC.

Section 175 IPC in the BNS

Section 175 IPC is now covered under Section 210 BNS.

Section 175 IPC is now Section 210 BNS. The title now adds the words or electronic record. The terms of imprisonment of one month and six months are the same. The fines rise from five hundred rupees to five thousand rupees and from one thousand rupees to ten thousand rupees. Court of Justice becomes Court, and the two limbs are set out as clauses a and b, the second beginning with the words and where in place of the words or if.

View detailed comparison (IPC 175 vs BNS 210) →

FAQs on Section 175 IPC

What does Section 175 IPC provide?▼

It punishes a person who is legally bound to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record to a public servant, as such, and intentionally omits to do so.

What is the punishment under Section 175 IPC?▼

Simple imprisonment for up to one month, or fine up to five hundred rupees, or both. Where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court of Justice, simple imprisonment for up to six months, or fine up to one thousand rupees, or both.

How does Section 175 IPC differ from Section 176 IPC?▼

Section 175 IPC punishes intentionally omitting to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record. Section 176 IPC punishes intentionally omitting to give a notice or to furnish information that the person is legally bound to give.

What must be shown for an offence under Section 175 IPC?▼

That the accused was legally bound to produce or deliver up a document or electronic record to a public servant, as such, and intentionally omitted to do so.

Is an offence under Section 175 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable, for both limbs.

Which court tries an offence under Section 175 IPC?▼

The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to the provisions of Chapter XXVI of the CrPC. If the offence is not committed in a Court, any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 175 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 175 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 210 BNS.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·