BNS Section 217 - False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of another person

217. False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to injury of

another person--Whoever gives to any public servant any information which he knows or believes to be

false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, such public

servant--

(a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit if the true state of

facts respecting which such information is given were known by him; or

(b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance of any person,

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or

with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Illustration s.

(a) A informs a Magistrate that Z, a police officer, subordinate to such Magistrate, has been

guilty of neglect of duty or misconduct, knowing such information to be false, and knowing it to be

likely that the information will cause the Magistrate to dismiss Z. A has committed the offence

defined in this section.

(b) A falsely informs a public servant that Z has contraband salt in a secret place, knowing such

information to be false, and knowing that it is likely that the consequence of the information will be a

search of Z’s premises, attended with annoyance to Z. A has committed the offence defined in this

section.

(c) A falsely informs a policeman that he has been assaulted and robbed in the neighbourhood of

a particular village. He does not mention the name of any person as one of his assailants, but knows it

to be likely that in consequence of this information the police will make enquiries and institute

searches in the village to the annoyance of the villagers or some of them. A has committed an offence

under this section.