Section 210 BNS: Furnishing False Information to Official

Section 210 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Omission to Produce Document to Public Servant

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

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,––

(a) shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both;

(b) and where the document or electronic record is to be produced or delivered up to a Court with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Illustrations

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.

BNSS First Schedule Legal Classification

Procedural Trial, Bail & Arrest Mandate under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Official BNSS Schedule I

Offence / Provision	Statutory Punishment	Bail Status	Cognizance	Trial Jurisdiction	Old IPC Equivalent
Section 210 BNS Omission to Produce Document to Public Servant	Simple imprisonment up to 1 month, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both (up to 6 months if Court document).	Bailable	Non-Cognizable	Court in which offence committed / Any Magistrate	Formerly Sec 175 IPC

Statutory classification established under the First Schedule of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Governs all FIR registrations, bail hearings, and criminal trial jurisdictions in Indian courts.

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 210

Section 210 punishes intentional omission to produce or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant by a person who is legally bound to do so.

Legal Obligation: The accused is legally bound by statute or lawful summons to produce or deliver a document or electronic record.
Competent Requisition: A valid requisition or notice issued by a public servant or court acting within jurisdiction.
Intentional Omission: Conscious and wilful withholding or failure to produce the required document or record.

Key Landmark Precedents:

Amritlal v. State of Gujarat (1980) 1 SCC 121: Held that intentional non-production of accounts required by statutory tax or excise authorities constitutes an offence once valid service of notice is proved.
C.B.I. v. V.C. Shukla (1998) 3 SCC 410: Clarified the evidentiary duties surrounding maintenance and production of business books and official documents under summons.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Defence counsel should assess whether the document was privileged under Section 132-136 BSA (such as professional communications or state secrets) or whether the accused possessed actual custody or control over the record.

Section 210: Omission to Produce Document to Public Servant

Section 210 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Omission to Produce Document to Public Servant

BNSS First Schedule Legal Classification

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 210