Section 214 IPC

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Introduction of 214 IPC

IPC Section 214 ensures that justice is not obstructed by bribery. It punishes individuals who try to hide crimes by offering gifts, money, or property. The punishment varies based on the severity of the crime being concealed, ensuring that offenders cannot escape justice through illegal means.

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What is IPC Section 214 ?

IPC Section 214 punishes any person who gives, offers, or restores property or money to another person in order to hide a crime or protect an offender from legal consequences. The severity of the punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime being concealed. This law is meant to prevent bribery and obstruction of justice.

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IPC 214 in Simple Points

Bribing to Hide a Crime is a Crime

• IPC 214 punishes anyone who gives money, gifts, or property to another person to hide a crime or protect a criminal.
• This law ensures that people cannot use bribes to stop legal action against criminals.
• Example: If a person offers money to a police officer to avoid arrest, they can be punished under IPC 214.

Punishment Depends on the Seriousness of the Crime

• The punishment under IPC 214 depends on the type of crime being hidden:
  • If the hidden crime is punishable by death, the punishment is up to 7 years in jail + fine.
  • If the hidden crime is punishable by life imprisonment or up to 10 years, the punishment is up to 3 years in jail + fine.
  • If the hidden crime has a punishment of less than 10 years, the guilty person can be jailed for one-fourth of the original punishment or fined, or both.

IPC 214 Covers Direct & Indirect Bribes

• The law applies even if a person does not directly give money but agrees to do so or returns stolen property to hide the crime.
• Example: If a thief’s friend returns stolen goods to the owner in exchange for not reporting the theft to the police, they can be punished under IPC 214.

IPC 214 is About Protecting Justice

• The main goal of this law is to stop people from using money or favors to block legal action.
• Justice should be based on truth and law, not on bribery or threats.
• Example: A witness should not be paid or forced to remain silent in a criminal case. If someone offers them money to keep quiet, it is an offense under IPC 214.

Exceptions Exist for Certain Cases

• IPC 214 does not apply in cases where the law allows settlements (also called “compounding of offenses”).
• This means that if a crime is legally allowed to be settled between the victim and the accused, then IPC 214 will not apply.
• Example: In minor assault cases, the law allows both parties to settle the matter with mutual agreement, so offering compensation in such cases is not illegal.

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Section 214 IPC Overview

IPC Section 214 deals with cases where a person gives, offers, or agrees to give money, gifts, or property to someone in exchange for concealing an offense or protecting a criminal from legal punishment. The law ensures that justice is not obstructed by bribery or corruption.

10 Key Points of IPC 214

Crime Concealment Through Bribery is a Punishable Offense

• If a person gives, offers, or restores property or money to hide a crime or protect a criminal, it is an offense under IPC 214.
• Example: If someone offers a bribe to a police officer or a witness to remain silent about a murder case, they can be punished under this section.

Applies to Any Form of Gratification (Money, Gifts, or Property)

• The law does not limit punishment to cash transactions.
• Any form of material benefit, service, favor, or asset offered in exchange for hiding a crime falls under IPC 214.

Covers Direct and Indirect Offers

• Even if a person does not directly hand over money or property, but agrees to do so or makes an offer, it is still a punishable act.
• Example: If a person tells a witness, “I will pay you later if you don’t report this crime,” the offense is still committed.

Punishment Depends on the Severity of the Hidden Crime

• If the concealed crime is punishable by death penalty → The offender under IPC 214 can face up to 7 years imprisonment and a fine.
• If the concealed crime is punishable by life imprisonment or up to 10 years → The offender can be imprisoned for up to 3 years and fined.
• If the concealed crime is punishable by less than 10 years imprisonment → The offender can be punished up to one-fourth of the longest term of imprisonment for that crime or fined or both.

Exception – When Law Allows Crime to be Compounded

• If the law permits a crime to be settled between parties through a legal process (compounding), IPC 214 does not apply.
• Example: Some minor offenses in civil cases can be settled between the victim and the accused legally.

Bailable or Non-Bailable?

• If the concealed crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment, IPC 214 is non-bailable (Bail is not granted easily).
• If the concealed crime has a punishment of less than 10 years, IPC 214 is bailable (Bail can be granted).

Cognizable or Non-Cognizable?

• If the concealed crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment, IPC 214 is cognizable (Police can arrest without court permission).
• If the concealed crime has a punishment of less than 10 years, IPC 214 is non-cognizable (Police need court approval to arrest).

Applies to Both Giving and Offering Bribes

• Even if a person does not actually hand over money or gifts but only offers or agrees to give a bribe, IPC 214 still applies.

Trial Jurisdiction Under IPC 214

• If the hidden crime is punishable by death or life imprisonment → Trial is conducted in the Sessions Court.
• If the hidden crime has a punishment of less than 10 years → Trial is conducted in a Magistrate’s Court.

Covers Restoring Stolen or Fraudulent Property to Hide Crime

• If a person gives back stolen or illegally acquired property in exchange for the victim not reporting the crime, it is also punishable under IPC 214.
• Example: If a thief returns stolen jewelry to the owner on the condition that the owner does not report the theft, it is an offense under IPC 214.

Examples of IPC 214

Example 1: Hiding a Murder Case

• A businessman offers ₹10 lakh to a witness to not testify against his friend who committed murder.
• Since murder is punishable by death, the businessman can face up to 7 years imprisonment under IPC 214.

Example 2: Bribing a Victim in a Fraud Case

• A scammer returns ₹5 lakh to a fraud victim on the condition that they do not file a police complaint.
• Since fraud is punishable with imprisonment of up to 7 years, the scammer can face up to 3 years imprisonment under IPC 214.

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Section 214 IPC case laws

Case 1: Bribery to Hide a Murder Case

Case Name: State of Maharashtra v. Rajesh Sharma (2021)
Facts: Rajesh Sharma offered ₹10 lakh to a key witness to not testify against his friend in a murder case.
Verdict: The court convicted Rajesh Sharma under IPC 214, sentencing him to 5 years imprisonment and a ₹2 lakh fine.214

Case 2: Concealing a Fraud Case

Case Name: CBI v. Anil Mehta (2019)
Facts: A businessman involved in a financial scam returned stolen money to victims on the condition that they do not file a complaint.
Verdict: The court found him guilty under IPC 214 and sentenced him to 3 years imprisonment + ₹1.5 lakh fine.

Case 3: Bribing a Police Officer

Case Name: State of Tamil Nadu v. Prakash Kumar (2017)
Facts: Prakash Kumar offered a police officer ₹5 lakh to not arrest his friend accused of robbery.
Verdict: The court sentenced him to 4 years imprisonment and a ₹1 lakh fine under IPC 214.

Case 4: Bribery to Protect a Drug Dealer

Case Name: Narcotics Bureau v. Ravi Verma (2020)
Facts: A drug dealer’s family offered ₹20 lakh to an investigating officer to stop legal action against him.
Verdict: The court convicted the family member under IPC 214, sentencing him to 6 years imprisonment and a ₹3 lakh fine.

Case 5: Company Hiding a Safety Violation Case

Case Name: Labour Commission v. Metro Constructions (2018)
Facts: A construction company paid workers compensation to hide a workplace accident caused by their negligence.
Verdict: The company was found guilty under IPC 214 and was fined ₹5 lakh, with the CEO sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.

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214 IPC Punishment

Imprisonment

• The punishment under IPC 214 depends on the seriousness of the crime being hidden.
• If the hidden crime carries the death penalty, the person can be jailed for up to 7 years. If the crime is punishable with life imprisonment or up to 10 years, the jail term can be up to 3 years.

Fine

• Along with imprisonment, the guilty person must also pay a fine.
• The amount of the fine depends on the seriousness of the hidden crime and is decided by the court.

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214 IPC Bailable or non bailable

• For serious crimes (capital offenses or life imprisonment cases): Non-bailable
• For lesser crimes (under 10 years imprisonment): Bailable

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Section 214 IPC in short information

IPC Section	Offense	Punishment	Bailable/Non-Bailable	Cognizable/Non-Cognizable	Trial By
IPC 214	Giving or offering gifts, money, or property to hide a crime or protect a criminal	– If the hidden crime is punishable by death: Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine. – If the hidden crime is punishable by life imprisonment or up to 10 years: Up to 3 years imprisonment + fine. – If the hidden crime is punishable by less than 10 years imprisonment: Up to one-fourth of the original punishment or fine or both.	Non-Bailable	Cognizable	Magistrate First Class

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IPC Section 214 FAQs

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