BNS Chapter XIII — Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants
Introduction
Chapter XIII lists offences that disobey, block or mislead public servants doing their job. These rules cover things like avoiding summons, hiding documents, refusing to cooperate, lying to officials, stopping property sales, threatening officers, or refusing help when the law requires it. The chapter exists so public servants can carry out legal work without obstruction and people follow court orders.
BNS Sections Covered (206–226)
| BNS Section | Title | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| 206 | Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding | Running away to avoid being served court papers or legal process. |
| 207 | Preventing service of summons or publication thereof | Stopping or hiding the delivery or publication of legal notices. |
| 208 | Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant | Failing to appear when ordered by an authorised official. |
| 209 | Non-appearance in response to a proclamation | Not appearing after a formal public proclamation requiring attendance. |
| 210 | Omission to produce document or electronic record to public servant | Not giving documents or electronic records when legally asked to do so. |
| 211 | Omission to give notice or information to public servant | Failing to inform an official when legally required. |
| 212 | Furnishing false information | Giving wrong or fake information to an official on purpose. |
| 213 | Refusal to take oath or affirmation when asked | Refusing to swear or affirm before giving evidence when law requires it. |
| 214 | Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question | Not answering questions from authorised officials. |
| 215 | Refusing to sign statement | Not signing a statement after making it, when required. |
| 216 | False statement on oath or affirmation | Making a false statement while under oath or affirmation. |
| 217 | Giving false information to mislead public servant | Deliberately telling lies so an official uses power to harm someone. |
| 218 | Resistance to taking of property by lawful authority | Blocking officials who are lawfully taking property (e.g., by court order). |
| 219 | Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority | Stopping or disturbing a property sale conducted under legal authority. |
| 220 | Buying or bidding illegally for property sold under order | Unlawful purchase or bidding when property is sold under official orders. |
| 221 | Stopping or disturbing a public servant in discharge of duty | Interfering with officials while they perform their legal duties. |
| 222 | Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance | Failing to help an official when legally required to assist. |
| 223 | Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant | Refusing to follow a lawful order made public by an official. |
| 224 | Threat of injury to public servant | Threatening to hurt an official to stop them doing their job. |
| 225 | Threatening to stop someone seeking help from public servant | Threatening a person so they don’t report or seek help from officials. |
| 226 | Attempted suicide to force or stop public servant | Trying to kill oneself to force or prevent an official from using lawful power. |
Conclusion
Chapter XIII (BNS 206–226) protects the legal process and officials who enforce it. It says people must not run from court papers, hide documents, lie, refuse to help, or block officials. It also punishes threats and false statements that harm someone through misuse of official power. In simple words: follow court orders, answer truthfully, and do not stop officials from doing their work.