Section 219 IPC: Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 219 IPC at a Glance

Section 219 IPC deals with public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 257 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 257 →

Section 219 IPC Bare Act Text

219. Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law

Whoever, being a public servant, corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces in any stage of a judicial proceeding, any report, order, verdict, or decision which he knows to be contrary to law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 219, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 219 IPC in Simple Words

Section 219 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes a public servant who corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces, in any stage of a judicial proceeding, any report, order, verdict, or decision which he knows to be contrary to law. The public servant must know the report, order, verdict or decision to be contrary to law and must act corruptly or maliciously.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both. The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Ingredients of Section 219 IPC

  • The accused was a public servant
  • The act took place at a stage of a judicial proceeding
  • The accused made or pronounced a report, order, verdict, or decision
  • The accused knew that report, order, verdict, or decision to be contrary to law
  • The accused acted corruptly or maliciously

Punishment Under Section 219 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Fine

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

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Corruptly or maliciously making or pronouncing a report, order, verdict, or decision known to be contrary to law in a judicial proceeding carries imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 219 IPC

In 2015 in Cuttack, Subhash served as an Executive Magistrate, a public servant conducting a judicial proceeding concerning a disputed orchard between two villagers, Bimal and Kartik. Out of personal malice against Kartik following an old family quarrel, Subhash pronounced a final order attaching the orchard and handing possession to Bimal, even though Subhash knew that the order was directly contrary to law. Because Subhash maliciously pronounced an order he knew to be unlawful during a judicial proceeding, Subhash is punishable under Section 219 IPC.

When Section 219 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 219 IPC does not apply when the person making the report, order, verdict, or decision is not a public servant.
  • Section 219 IPC does not apply if the report, order, verdict, or decision is made in an administrative matter rather than at a stage of a judicial proceeding.
  • Section 219 IPC does not apply where the public servant acts honestly and without corrupt or malicious motive, even if the decision turns out to be legally mistaken.
  • Section 219 IPC does not apply when the public servant does not know that the report, order, verdict, or decision is contrary to law.

Section 219 IPC in the BNS

Section 219 IPC is now covered under Section 257 BNS.

Section 219 IPC is now Section 257 BNS, with the same title, the same words and the same punishment.

View detailed comparison (IPC 219 vs BNS 257) →

FAQs on Section 219 IPC

What does Section 219 IPC punish?▼

It punishes a public servant who corruptly or maliciously makes or pronounces in any stage of a judicial proceeding any report, order, verdict, or decision which he knows to be contrary to law.

What is the punishment under Section 219 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or fine, or both.

Does an erroneous order made in good faith attract Section 219 IPC?▼

No. The section requires proof that the public servant acted corruptly or maliciously and knew the report, order, verdict, or decision to be contrary to law.

Is an offence under Section 219 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

It is non-cognizable and bailable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 219 IPC?▼

A Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 219 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 219 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 219 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

In Section 257 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 ·