Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
**Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 – False Statement in Evidence**
Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, addresses the offense of making a false statement in evidence, with the intent to mislead or deceive the court or any authority conducting a legal proceeding.
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### 📜 Text of Section 221
Whoever, being legally bound to state the truth, makes a false statement in evidence, with the intent to mislead or deceive the court or any authority conducting a legal proceeding, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
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### ⚖️ Key Elements
* **Legal Obligation**: The individual must be legally bound to state the truth, such as under oath or affirmation.
* **False Statement**: The statement made must be false.
* **Intent to Mislead**: The false statement must be made with the intent to mislead or deceive the court or any authority conducting a legal proceeding.
* **Punishment**: The offense is punishable with imprisonment for up to seven years and may also include a fine.
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### 📚 Comparison with Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Section 221 of the BNS corresponds to **Section 191 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)**, which deals with the offense of giving false evidence. Both provisions criminalize the act of making false statements in evidence with the intent to mislead or deceive the court. However, the BNS provides a more detailed definition and broader scope of prohibited actions.
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### 🛡️ Purpose and Intent
The primary objective of Section 221 is to uphold the integrity of the legal system by penalizing individuals who intentionally provide false information in legal proceedings. Such actions undermine the pursuit of justice and can lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals. By criminalizing the act of making false statements in evidence, the law aims to deter individuals from engaging in such conduct and to ensure the reliability of evidence presented in legal proceedings.
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