Section 195A IPC: Threatening any person to give false evidence
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 195A IPC at a Glance
Section 195A IPC deals with threatening any person to give false evidence. It is non-bailable and cognizable; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 232 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. If an innocent person is convicted and sentenced in consequence of the false evidence, with death or imprisonment for more than seven years, the same punishment and sentence as that innocent person.
Section 195A IPC Bare Act Text
195A. Threatening any person to give false evidence
Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause that person to give false evidence shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both; and if innocent person is convicted and sentenced in consequence of such false evidence, with death or imprisonment for more than seven years, the person who threatens shall be punished with the same punishment and sentence in the same manner and to the same extent such innocent person is punished and sentenced.
Source: Section 195A, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 195A IPC in Simple Words
Section 195A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes threatening another person with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause that person to give false evidence. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.
If an innocent person is convicted and sentenced to death or to imprisonment for more than seven years in consequence of that false evidence, the person who threatened is punished with the same punishment and sentence. The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, and it is triable by the court by which the offence of giving false evidence is triable.
Ingredients of Section 195A IPC
- The accused threatened another person with injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested
- The accused acted with intent to cause that person to give false evidence
- For the higher punishment only, an innocent person was convicted and sentenced to death or to imprisonment for more than seven years in consequence of that false evidence
Punishment Under Section 195A IPC
Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years. If an innocent person is convicted and sentenced in consequence of the false evidence, with death or imprisonment for more than seven years, the same punishment and sentence as that innocent person.
The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.
Threatening a person to give false evidence carries imprisonment for up to seven years, or fine, or both, and the same sentence as an innocent person convicted in consequence.
Example of Section 195A IPC
When Section 195A IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 195A IPC does not apply when someone induces a witness to lie in court by offering money or gifts rather than by threatening injury.
- Section 195A IPC does not apply when a threat of harm is made to force a witness to tell the truth rather than to give false evidence.
- Section 195A IPC does not apply when a threat is made to prevent a person from applying to a public servant for protection, without any intent to cause that person to give false evidence.
- Section 195A IPC does not apply as to its enhanced sentencing clause when no innocent person is convicted and sentenced to death or imprisonment for more than seven years as a result of the false evidence.
Section 195A IPC in the BNS
Section 195A IPC is now covered under Section 232 BNS.
Section 195A IPC is now Section 232 BNS, with the same title and the same punishment. The BNS splits the text into two sub-sections. Sub-section one holds the threat and its punishment. Sub-section two holds the higher punishment for the conviction of an innocent person. Where the IPC refers to such false evidence, sub-section two refers to the false evidence mentioned in sub-section one. The meaning is the same.
View detailed comparison (IPC 195A vs BNS 232) →FAQs on Section 195A IPC
What does Section 195A IPC provide?▼
It punishes threatening another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause that person to give false evidence.
What is the punishment under Section 195A IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.
Under Section 195A IPC, what if an innocent person is convicted because of the false evidence?▼
If an innocent person is convicted and sentenced in consequence of the false evidence, with death or imprisonment for more than seven years, the person who threatens is punished with the same punishment and sentence in the same manner and to the same extent.
What kinds of threat does Section 195A IPC cover?▼
A threat of injury to the person, reputation or property of another, or to the person or reputation of anyone in whom that person is interested.
Is an offence under Section 195A IPC cognizable and bailable?▼
It is cognizable and non-bailable.
Which court tries an offence under Section 195A IPC?▼
The court by which the offence of giving false evidence is triable.
Can an offence under Section 195A IPC be compounded?▼
No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 195A IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In Section 232 BNS.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·