Section 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Section 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with the offence of giving or fabricating false evidence in order to procure conviction of serious (non-capital) offences. Here are its key features:
📘 Section 229 – Punishment for False Evidence
Scope
Applies when a person intentionally provides or creates false evidence with the intent (or knowing that it is likely) to lead to the conviction of another for an offence punishable with life imprisonment or imprisonment for at least 7 years (prsindia.org).
Punishment
The accused is punished in the same manner as a person convicted of that original offence would be. In other words, delivering or fabricating such evidence exposes the individual to life imprisonment, rigorous imprisonment for a specified term, and/or fines, depending on the gravity of the intended offence .
Illustration
If A provides false testimony to have Z convicted of dacoity (a crime punishable with life or up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment), A is consequently liable to life imprisonment or a rigorous term, with or without fines (prsindia.org).
🔎 How it fits within Chapter XIV (“False Evidence & Offences against Public Justice”)
Section 227 covers general false testimony/fabrication with lesser penalties (up to 7 years or 3 years depending on context).
Section 228 deals with false evidence to wrongfully convict someone of a capital offence (punishable by death or life imprisonment).
Section 229 specifically targets false evidence intended for convictions of serious offences short of capital cases, meaning life or 7+ years imprisonment (prsindia.org).
✅ In Summary:
| Section | Applies To | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | False evidence generally | ≤ 7 years + fine |
| 228 | False evidence → capital offence | Life or ≤ 10 yrs rigorous + fine |
| 229 | False evidence → non-capital serious offence | Same punishment as the intended offence (prsindia.org) |
In essence, Section 229 elevates the seriousness of providing false testimony when the target is a non-capital yet grave offence, by mirroring the punishment that the false evidence seeks to trigger.
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