Introduction of Section BNS 210
BNS Section 210 addresses the legal responsibility of individuals who are bound by law to produce or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant, but intentionally fail to do so. The section outlines the penalties for such omissions, especially when the document or electronic record is required by a court or any public authority.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 210 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 175.
- Introduction of Section BNS 210
- What is BNS Section 210 ?
- BNS 210 in Simple Points
- Section 210 BNS Overview
- BNS 210 Punishment
- BNS 210 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 210
- BNS Section 210 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is BNS Section 210 ?
BNS Section 210 deals with individuals who are legally required to produce or deliver documents or electronic records to public servants, but deliberately fail to comply. The section prescribes punishments that vary depending on whether the omission occurs in general or in relation to court proceedings.

BNS 210 in Simple Points
- Legal Obligation to Produce Documents or Electronic Records:
- If a person is legally bound to submit any document or electronic record to a public servant and deliberately omits to do so, they are committing an offence under BNS Section 210.
- Example: If a company is required to submit certain records to a tax authority but intentionally withholds them, the responsible individual may be charged under this section.
- Punishment for General Omission:
- If the omission does not involve a court but is still required by a public servant, the person may be punished with simple imprisonment for up to one month or a fine that can extend to ₹5,000, or both.
- This ensures accountability when people intentionally ignore their legal duty to cooperate with public officials.
- Court-Related Omission:
- If the omission involves failing to produce a document or electronic record in a court of law, the punishment is more severe. The offender can face simple imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both.
- Example: If an individual is summoned by a district court to present a document but fails to do so, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to six months or fined.
- Non-Cognizable Offence:
- The offence under BNS Section 210 is non-cognizable, meaning the police cannot arrest the offender without a warrant. This indicates that the offence, while serious, does not require immediate police intervention.
- Bailable and Non-Compoundable:
- The offence is bailable, meaning the accused can secure bail and be released from custody while awaiting trial. However, it is non-compoundable, which means the offence cannot be privately settled between the parties and must be resolved in court.
Section 210 BNS Overview
BNS Section 210 addresses the legal responsibility of individuals to produce or deliver a document or electronic record when legally required by a public servant or court. If a person intentionally fails to comply, they can face penalties, which vary depending on whether the omission relates to a public servant or a court proceeding. This section ensures accountability for fulfilling legal obligations to produce necessary documents or records.
BNS Section 210 – Key Points Explained in Detail
- Obligation to Produce Documents or Electronic Records:
- Under BNS Section 210, any individual who is legally required to provide or deliver a document or electronic record to a public servant must do so. This legal obligation applies when the public servant has the authority to request the document or record. Failure to comply constitutes an offence.
- Example: If a government official demands specific financial records during an audit, the person responsible for those records must submit them.
- Intentional Omission:
- The section applies only when the omission is intentional. This means that the individual must have deliberately chosen not to provide the required document or electronic record. Accidental or unintentional failure is not covered by this section.
- Example: If a person deliberately withholds a crucial document that is essential for a government investigation, they would be guilty under this section.
- Punishment for General Omission:
- If the omission is related to a general public servant (not a court), the person can be punished with simple imprisonment for up to one month or a fine up to ₹5,000, or both. This punishment reflects the seriousness of failing to comply with a public servant’s request.
- Example: A business owner who fails to provide required documentation to a tax officer may face up to one month in jail or a fine.
- Court-Related Omission:
- If the omission involves a court, the punishment becomes more severe. Failing to produce a document or electronic record when required by a court can result in imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to ₹10,000, or both.
- Example: If an individual fails to submit a legal contract as evidence in a court case, they can face six months of imprisonment or a substantial fine.
- Non-Cognizable Offence:
- The offence under BNS Section 210 is non-cognizable, meaning the police cannot arrest the person without a warrant. This emphasizes that the offence, though serious, does not require immediate police intervention unless the legal process is initiated.
- Explanation: Since the failure to produce documents is not an immediate threat to public safety, it is categorized as non-cognizable.
- Bailable Offence:
- The offence is bailable, which means that after being arrested or summoned to court, the accused has the right to request bail. The accused can be released from custody while awaiting trial.
- Explanation: A person charged under this section can apply for bail, allowing them to remain free during the legal process.
- Non-Compoundable Offence:
- The offence is non-compoundable, meaning that it cannot be privately settled between the parties involved. It must be resolved through the legal system, ensuring that the offence is properly addressed by the court.
- Explanation: Since the offence involves legal obligations and public servants, it cannot be resolved through negotiation or settlement between the parties.
- Jurisdiction of the Magistrate:
- The trial for offences under BNS Section 210 will take place in the court where the offence occurred or in a court designated to hear the case. A Magistrate can preside over the case and deliver the judgment.
- Explanation: If someone fails to produce a document in a local court, the case will be handled by the Magistrate of that specific court.
- Protection of Public Trust:
- The section is designed to ensure that individuals respect their legal obligations to public servants and courts. By enforcing penalties for failure to produce documents or records, the law upholds the integrity of government processes and judicial proceedings.
- Explanation: It promotes accountability and discourages people from evading legal duties.
- Purpose of BNS Section 210:
- The purpose of BNS Section 210 is to prevent individuals from obstructing legal processes by intentionally withholding documents or electronic records. The law ensures that public servants and courts can access necessary information for the effective functioning of governance and justice.
- Explanation: Without this section, individuals could deliberately avoid accountability by refusing to provide important documents, which could hinder legal processes.
Examples of BNS Section 210
- Example 1 – Failing to Produce Records to Tax Authorities:
- A person is legally required to submit their tax records to the income tax department. Despite repeated notices, the individual intentionally fails to submit these documents. This omission can lead to punishment under BNS Section 210, including imprisonment for one month or a fine of ₹5,000.
- Example 2 – Failing to Present Evidence in Court:
- A businessman, Ramesh, is ordered by a district court to submit a contract document related to a legal dispute. He deliberately avoids producing the document in court, despite the court’s order. Ramesh can be punished with imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of ₹10,000 under BNS Section 210.
BNS 210 Punishment
- Imprisonment:
- For general omissions, the punishment is simple imprisonment for up to one month. If the omission involves a court, the imprisonment can extend up to six months.
- Fine:
- A fine of up to ₹5,000 can be imposed for general omissions, while omissions related to courts can result in a fine of up to ₹10,000. In both cases, imprisonment and a fine may be imposed together.

BNS 210 bailable or not ?
BNS Section 210 is a bailable offence. This means that after being arrested, the accused can be released on bail, but they must still face the charges in court.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 210
Clause | Description | Punishment | Bailable | Cognizable | Trial By |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
210 (General Omission) | Failing to produce a document or electronic record to a public servant | Imprisonment for up to 1 month, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both | Yes | Non-cognizable | Any Magistrate |
210 (Court-Related Omission) | Failing to produce a document or electronic record to a court | Imprisonment for up to 6 months, or fine up to ₹10,000, or both | Yes | Non-cognizable | Magistrate of the first class |
BNS Section 210 FAQs
What does BNS Section 210 cover?
It covers the intentional omission to produce or deliver documents or electronic records to a public servant or a court when a person is legally bound to do so.
What is the punishment for failing to produce documents in court under BNS Section 210?
The punishment can be up to six months of simple imprisonment or a fine of ₹10,000, or both.
Is BNS Section 210 a cognizable offence?
No, it is a non-cognizable offence, meaning the police cannot arrest the accused without a warrant.
Can someone get bail if charged under BNS Section 210?
Yes, BNS Section 210 is a bailable offence, allowing the accused to secure bail after arrest.
What happens if a person omits to produce documents required by a public servant?
The person can be punished with up to one month of simple imprisonment or a fine of ₹5,000, or both, depending on the circumstances.
Is this BNS 210 offence compoundable?
No, BNS Section 210 is non-compoundable, meaning the matter cannot be settled privately and must go through the court process.
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