IPC Section 201
IPC Section 201 – Causing the disappearance of evidence of an offence, or giving false information to screen the offender
1. What it says (in essence):
Section 201 deals with situations where a person, after committing or knowing about an offence, intentionally destroys, conceals, or alters evidence related to that offence, or gives false information to protect the offender.
In simple words: If someone helps hide evidence so that the crime cannot be detected or the offender escapes punishment, it falls under Section 201.
Key Elements of Section 201
Knowledge of an offence:
The person must know that an offence has been committed. Mere suspicion is not enough.
Intentional act:
The act of destroying, hiding, or altering evidence must be intentional. Accidentally deleting something does not count.
Acts covered:
Destroying evidence
Concealing evidence
Altering evidence
Giving false information to authorities to help the offender escape
Purpose:
The purpose of the act must be to screen (protect) the offender from punishment.
Punishment under IPC Section 201
Imprisonment:
Up to 7 years if the offence is punishable with death, life imprisonment, or rigorous imprisonment for 10 years or more.
Otherwise, imprisonment up to 3 years.
Fine:
A fine may also be imposed in addition to imprisonment.
Examples to understand Section 201
Example 1:
A person witnesses a murder. After the murder, they burn the murder weapon to prevent the police from finding it.
→ This is an offence under Section 201 because they concealed evidence to protect the murderer.
Example 2:
Someone tells the police a false story to protect a friend who committed theft.
→ This is also punishable under Section 201.
Example 3:
If a person accidentally loses a document without knowing it is evidence, Section 201 does not apply, because there is no intention to hide evidence.
Important Points
Section 201 is considered a serious offence because it obstructs justice.
It applies even if the offender is not caught, as long as there was intent to hide evidence or mislead authorities.
The law distinguishes between accidental loss of evidence and intentional act to screen the offender.
In short, IPC 201 punishes anyone who tries to hide or destroy evidence of a crime or misleads authorities to protect the guilty.
RELATED Blog
0 comments