IPC 214 vs BNS 214
● Retained in BNSFabricating false evidence
Section 214 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with the offence of fabricating false evidence with the intent to mislead judicial or legal proceedings. This section applies to anyone who creates, alters, or forges evidence, knowing it is false, intending it to be used in a court or public investigation.
Key aspects:
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False evidence can be documents, electronic records, or physical objects.
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The intent must be to cause a miscarriage of justice, wrongful conviction, or benefit to oneself or another.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 7 years, and fine.
Example: Forging a will or altering digital records to mislead a civil case. IPC 214 protects the integrity of evidence and judicial proceedings, ensuring that justice is not obstructed through false documentation or testimony.
Fabricating false evidence
Section 214 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 214. It punishes anyone who fabricates, alters, or destroys evidence intending to mislead legal proceedings or investigations.
Key aspects:
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False evidence can include documents, digital files, or tangible objects intended for use in judicial proceedings.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 7 years, and fine.
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Example: Creating fake medical reports or falsifying contracts to influence a court decision.
BNS 214 strengthens legal safeguards by ensuring that evidence manipulation is severely punished, maintaining the credibility of courts and investigations.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 214 to BNS BNS 214.