Section 203 IPC: Giving false information respecting an offence committed

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 203 IPC at a Glance

Section 203 IPC deals with giving false information respecting an offence committed. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 240 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 240 →

Section 203 IPC Bare Act Text

203. Giving false information respecting an offence committed

Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an offence has been committed, gives any information respecting that offence which he knows or believes to be false, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation

In sections 201 and 202 and in this section the word “offence” includes any act committed at any place out of India, which, if committed in India, would be punishable under any of the following sections, namely, 302, 304, 382, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 402, 435, 436, 449, 450, 457, 458, 459 and 460.

Source: Section 203, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 203 IPC in Simple Words

Section 203 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes giving false information respecting an offence committed. The person must know or have reason to believe that an offence has been committed.

He must then give information respecting that offence which he knows or believes to be false. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both.

The offence is bailable and non-cognizable, and it is triable by any Magistrate. An Explanation extends the word offence in Sections 201, 202 and 203 IPC to certain acts done outside India that would be punishable in India under the sections it lists.

Ingredients of Section 203 IPC

  • The accused knew or had reason to believe that the offence had been committed
  • The accused gave information respecting that offence
  • The accused knew or believed that information to be false

Punishment Under Section 203 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years.

Fine

The offender may be punished with fine alone or with both imprisonment and fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Giving false information respecting an offence committed carries imprisonment for up to two years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 203 IPC

In 2016 in Shimla, an orchard cottage was set on fire by an arsonist named Pranav, whom his neighbour Gautam saw climbing out of the window with a fuel can. Knowing that the offence of arson had been committed, Gautam went before a local Magistrate and stated that two unknown travellers had set the cottage ablaze and fled toward the forest. Because Gautam knew that an offence had been committed and gave information respecting that offence which he knew to be false, Gautam is punishable under Section 203 IPC.

When Section 203 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 203 IPC does not apply when the person neither knew nor had reason to believe that an offence had been committed.
  • Section 203 IPC does not apply if the person did not give any information regarding the offence.
  • Section 203 IPC does not apply where the informant honestly believed the information given about the offence to be true.
  • Section 203 IPC does not apply when a person legally bound to report an offence merely withholds information without making a false statement, which falls under Section 202 IPC.

Section 203 IPC in the BNS

Section 203 IPC is now covered under Section 240 BNS.

Section 203 IPC is now Section 240 BNS, with the same title, the same punishment and the same words in the main paragraph. Only the Explanation differs. It now refers to Sections 238 and 239 BNS in place of Sections 201 and 202 IPC, and it lists BNS sections in place of the IPC sections 302, 304, 382 and the rest of the IPC list.

View detailed comparison (IPC 203 vs BNS 240) →

FAQs on Section 203 IPC

What does Section 203 IPC provide?▼

It punishes a person who knows or has reason to believe that an offence has been committed and gives any information respecting that offence which he knows or believes to be false.

What is the punishment under Section 203 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both.

How does Section 203 IPC differ from Section 202 IPC?▼

Section 202 IPC punishes the intentional omission to give information of an offence by a person legally bound to inform. Section 203 IPC punishes giving information respecting an offence which the giver knows or believes to be false.

What does the Explanation to Section 203 IPC add?▼

In Sections 201, 202 and 203 IPC the word offence includes an act done outside India which would be punishable in India under any of the sections the Explanation lists.

Is an offence under Section 203 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 203 IPC?▼

Any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 203 IPC be compounded?▼

No. It is not listed in Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 203 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 240 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 ·