Introduction of BNS Section 232
BNS Section 232 deals with the act of threatening a person with harm to force them into giving false evidence in any legal proceeding. It imposes strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for anyone found guilty of such actions. If an innocent person is convicted as a result of false evidence caused by the threats, the person making the threats will face the same punishment as the wrongly convicted person.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 232 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 195A.
- Introduction of BNS Section 232
- What is BNS Section 232 ?
- BNS 232 in Simple Points
- Section 232 BNS Overview
- BNS 232 Punishment
- BNS 232 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 232
- BNS Section 232 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 232 ?
BNS Section 232 addresses the crime of threatening someone to give false evidence. It punishes individuals who use threats of harm to force someone into lying in court or any legal proceeding. If the false evidence leads to the conviction of an innocent person, the one responsible for the threats faces the same punishment as the victim.

BNS 232 in Simple Points
- Threats to Force False Evidence: If anyone threatens another person with harm to their body, property, or reputation to make them give false evidence in court, this is a crime. The law protects individuals from being forced into lying by any form of intimidation.
- Punishment for Threats: Anyone who makes such threats can be punished with imprisonment for up to seven years, or they may face a fine, or both. This ensures that the crime of coercing someone into giving false testimony is taken seriously.
- Consequences of False Conviction: If someone is threatened into giving false evidence and an innocent person is wrongly convicted and sentenced, the one who made the threats will face the same punishment as the convicted person, including imprisonment or even death if applicable.
- Cognizable Offence: BNS Section 232 is a cognizable offence, which means the police can arrest the accused without a warrant if they are suspected of threatening someone to give false evidence.
- Non-Bailable Offence: The offence is non-bailable, meaning that bail is not guaranteed and can only be granted at the discretion of the court. This reflects the serious nature of the crime.
Section 232 BNS Overview
BNS Section 232 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita addresses the crime of threatening someone with harm to force them into giving false evidence in a judicial proceeding. This section also outlines strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for individuals who make such threats. If false evidence due to threats results in the wrongful conviction and punishment of an innocent person, the one who made the threats will face the same punishment that the innocent person was sentenced to.
10 Key Points of BNS Section 2232
- Threats to Force False Evidence: BNS Section 232 makes it a crime to threaten someone in order to force them to provide false evidence. Threats could be made to the person themselves, their reputation, property, or to anyone connected to them. This prevents individuals from being coerced into lying under oath during a trial or legal proceeding.
- Forms of Threats: The threats under this section can take various forms, including injury to the body, harm to property, or damage to one’s reputation. It also covers threats made against people who are close to the individual, such as family or friends, making it broad enough to address different types of coercion.
- Intent Behind the Threat: For an act to be punishable under BNS Section 232, the person making the threat must have the intent to cause the victim to give false evidence. This means the person who threatens knows the victim might lie under oath because of the pressure or fear created by the threat.
- Punishment for Threats: If a person is found guilty of threatening another to provide false evidence, they can face imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both. This ensures that the crime is taken seriously and deters individuals from trying to influence court proceedings through threats.
- False Conviction of an Innocent Person: If the false evidence given due to the threats results in the conviction and punishment of an innocent person, the person who made the threats will receive the same punishment as the wrongly convicted individual. This includes severe penalties, such as life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the case.
- Application to Judicial Proceedings: BNS Section 232 specifically applies to judicial proceedings, which means that any threats related to court cases, legal investigations, or trials are covered. It ensures that the integrity of legal processes is maintained by preventing interference through threats.
- Cognizable Offence: BNS Section 232 is classified as a cognizable offence, meaning that the police have the authority to arrest the accused without a warrant if they have sufficient grounds to believe a crime has been committed. This gives law enforcement more power to act swiftly in cases of threatening behavior related to legal proceedings.
- Non-Bailable Offence: The offence under BNS Section 232 is non-bailable, which means the accused cannot automatically be released on bail. They must apply to the court for bail, and it is at the discretion of the judge to grant or deny the request based on the circumstances of the case.
- Seriousness of the Crime: The non-bailable and cognizable nature of the offence highlights the seriousness with which the law treats the crime of threatening someone to give false evidence. This is done to maintain the credibility of legal proceedings and ensure that no one is wrongly convicted based on coerced or false testimony.
- Impact on Legal Integrity: BNS Section 232 plays a crucial role in protecting the fairness of the judicial process by preventing people from using threats to manipulate the outcome of legal cases. This ensures that legal proceedings remain just, and that testimonies given in court are true and based on facts, rather than coercion.
Two Examples of BNS Section 2232
- Example 1:
A is a witness in a court case involving a property dispute. B, who has a personal interest in the case, threatens to ruin A’s reputation and harm their family if A does not provide false testimony in court. Fearing for their family’s safety, A lies under oath. B is later charged under BNS Section 232 for coercing A into giving false evidence. - Example 2:
During a criminal trial, C threatens D, a key witness, with physical violence if D does not testify falsely in favor of C. D gives false testimony, and as a result, an innocent person is wrongfully convicted. Under BNS Section 232, C is prosecuted and faces the same punishment as the innocent person who was convicted due to the false evidence.
BNS 232 Punishment
- Imprisonment: The punishment for threatening someone to give false evidence can be up to seven years of imprisonment. This serves as a strong deterrent for anyone considering coercing someone into lying under oath.
- Fine: In addition to imprisonment, the court may impose a fine, or both imprisonment and a fine, depending on the severity of the threat and the resulting consequences.

BNS 232 bailable or not ?
BNS Section 232 is Non-Bailable. This means that the accused cannot automatically get bail and must apply to the court, where the decision to grant bail is at the judge’s discretion based on the facts of the case.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 232
Section | Offence | Punishment | Bailable/Non-Bailable | Cognizable/Non-Cognizable | Trial by |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNS Section 232(1) | Threatening someone to give false evidence | Imprisonment up to 7 years, or fine, or both | Non-Bailable | Cognizable | Court by which false evidence offence is triable |
BNS Section 232(2) | Threat leading to false conviction and punishment | Same as the punishment faced by the innocent person | Non-Bailable | Cognizable | Court by which false evidence offence is triable |
BNS Section 232 FAQs
What is BNS Section 232?
BNS Section 232 makes it illegal to threaten someone into giving false evidence during a judicial proceeding. The law provides serious punishment for this act, including imprisonment and fines.
What is the punishment under BNS Section 232?
The punishment for threatening someone to give false evidence is up to 7 years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. If an innocent person is convicted because of false evidence, the person responsible for the threats can face the same punishment.
Is BNS Section 232 a bailable offence?
No, BNS Section 232 is non-bailable. This means the accused must apply to the court for bail, and it is up to the court to grant it based on the circumstances.
What happens if an innocent person is convicted due to false evidence?
If an innocent person is convicted and punished because of false evidence resulting from threats, the person who made the threats will face the same punishment, which can include life imprisonment or death, depending on the case.
Can the police arrest someone under BNS Section 232 without a warrant?
Yes, BNS Section 232 is a cognizable offence, meaning the police can arrest the accused without a warrant if they are suspected of committing the crime.
What type of trial is conducted for offences under BNS Section 232?
Offences under BNS Section 232 are tried by the court that handles cases involving false evidence, typically a Court of Session.
If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
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