Section 203 · Giving false information respecting an offence committed
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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.
1 [Explanation.—In sections 201 and 202 and in this section the word "offence" includes any act committed at any place out of 2 [India], which, if committed in 2 [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.]
1 [Explanation.—In sections 201 and 202 and in this section the word "offence" includes any act committed at any place out of 2 [India], which, if committed in 2 [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.]
The offence at a glance
- Punishment
- up to 2 years, fine (no stated ceiling)
- Cognizable
- Non-cognizable
- Bailable
- Bailable
- Compoundable
- Not compoundable
- Triable by
- Any Magistrate
- Non-cognizable — Police cannot investigate without a Magistrate's order
- Bailable — Bail is your right — it can be granted at the police station
Derived from the First Schedule Part II rule — not listed section by section
In the new law
IPC 203BNS 240
240. Giving false information respecting an offence committed.
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Related sections of law
How this section has changed
The law that applies is the law as it stood on the date of the offence — which is why this timeline matters.
- 1894Inserted
By: Act 3 of 1894
The text in force on the date of the offence is the text that applies — a later amendment does not reach back.