Refusing to sign statement
Full Text
215. Refusing to sign statement.—Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.
Plain English Summary
This section penalizes the refusal to sign a statement made by a person when legally required by a competent public servant.
Key Legal Elements
- Legally competent public servant requires signature on a statement
- The statement was made by the person concerned
- Intentional refusal to sign the statement
Punishment
Simple imprisonment up to 3 months and/or fine up to ₹3,000.
Practical Note
The statement must be one actually made by the person. A police officer cannot compel a signature on statements made under section 180 of BNSS (former 161 CrPC) due to specific bar in criminal procedure, so this section applies only where the law explicitly demands a signature.
हिंदी पाठ
215. कथन पर हस्ताक्षर करने से इनकार करना।—जो कोई अपने द्वारा किए गए किसी कथन पर हस्ताक्षर करने से इनकार करेगा, जब उससे उस कथन पर हस्ताक्षर करने की ऐसे लोक सेवक द्वारा कानूनी रूप से अपेक्षा की जाए जो उसे उस कथन पर हस्ताक्षर करने की अपेक्षा करने के लिए कानूनी रूप से सक्षम हो, उसे साधारण कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन महीने तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, जो तीन हजार रुपये तक का हो सकेगा, या दोनों से दंडित किया जाएगा।