Section 180 IPC: Refusing to sign statement

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 180 IPC at a Glance

Section 180 IPC deals with refusing to sign statement. It is bailable and non-cognizable; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 215 BNS.

Punishment

Simple imprisonment for up to three 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 215 →

Section 180 IPC Bare Act Text

180. Refusing to sign statement

Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 180, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 180 IPC in Simple Words

Section 180 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a person who refuses to sign a statement made by him, when a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign it requires him to sign. The punishment is simple imprisonment for up to three months, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

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

Ingredients of Section 180 IPC

  • The accused made a statement
  • A public servant required the accused to sign that statement
  • The public servant was legally competent to require that the accused sign it
  • The accused refused to sign the statement

Punishment Under Section 180 IPC

Imprisonment

Simple imprisonment for up to three months.

Fine

Fine of up to five hundred rupees. The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

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 ⓘ

Refusing to sign a statement when legally required by a public servant carries simple imprisonment for up to three months, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Example of Section 180 IPC

In October 2016, Harish appeared before a Judicial Magistrate named Vikram in Mysuru and made an oral statement that was reduced to writing during a judicial proceeding. As a public servant, Vikram was legally competent to require that Harish sign the statement made by him. Once the written record was read out, Vikram required Harish to sign that statement, but Harish refused to put his signature on it. Harish is punishable under Section 180 IPC.

When Section 180 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 180 IPC does not apply if the document presented for signature was not a statement made by that person.
  • No offence is committed when the person was never directed to sign the statement.
  • The provision is inapplicable if the demand to sign came from someone who is not a public servant.
  • Refusing to sign is not punishable under Section 180 IPC when the public servant lacked legal authority to require the person to sign the statement.
  • A person who signs the statement when required to do so commits no offence under Section 180 IPC.

Section 180 IPC in the BNS

Section 180 IPC is now covered under Section 215 BNS.

Section 180 IPC is now Section 215 BNS, with the same title and the same words. The one change is the fine: the limit is raised from five hundred rupees to three thousand rupees. The term of simple imprisonment is still up to three months.

View detailed comparison (IPC 180 vs BNS 215) →

FAQs on Section 180 IPC

What does Section 180 IPC provide?▼

It punishes a person who refuses to sign any statement made by him, when a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign it requires him to sign.

What is the punishment under Section 180 IPC?▼

Simple imprisonment for up to three months, or fine of up to five hundred rupees, or both.

Who must have required the signature under Section 180 IPC?▼

A public servant legally competent to require that the person sign the statement.

How does Section 180 IPC differ from Section 179 IPC?▼

Section 180 IPC punishes refusing to sign a statement made by the person. Section 179 IPC punishes refusing to answer a question put by a public servant authorised to question.

Is an offence under Section 180 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 180 IPC?▼

The Court in which the offence is committed, subject to Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or, if it is not committed in a Court, any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 180 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 180 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 215 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 ·