Section Overview
Section Number:
IPC Section 195
Section Title:
Threatening or Inducing Any Person to Give False Evidence or Withhold Truth
Act:
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)
Status:
Active (concept retained under BNS 2023)
Applicability:
IPC Section 195 applies when:
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A person threatens, bribes, or induces another person
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The intention is to:
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Make them give false evidence, OR
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Prevent them from giving true evidence
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The act affects judicial or legal proceedings
It commonly applies in:
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Court witness tampering
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Police investigation interference
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Criminal trial manipulation
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Civil disputes involving bribery or pressure
Section Explanation
Simple Explanation (Plain English/Hinglish)
IPC Section 195 ka matlab hai ki agar koi person kisi witness ko ya kisi bhi person ko jhooth bolne ke liye majboor karta hai ya sach chupane ke liye force karta hai, to woh crime karta hai.
👉 Simple words:
“Witness ko kharidna, dhamkana ya influence karke jhooth bulwana crime hai.”
Legal Definition (Original Law Meaning)
Section 195 punishes any act where a person:
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Threatens, induces, or offers advantage to another person
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With intent to make them give false evidence OR suppress true evidence
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In any judicial or legal proceeding
Practical Interpretation
This section ensures:
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Witness independence
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Fair trial process
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Protection from coercion
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Integrity of evidence
It is closely connected to Sections 191–193 (false evidence laws).
Punishment & Legal Classification
Punishment:
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Imprisonment up to 7 years, and
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Fine
(Depending on seriousness and case nature)
Bailable / Non-Bailable:
Non-bailable
Cognizable / Non-cognizable:
Cognizable
Compoundable:
Non-compoundable
Triable by:
Magistrate / Sessions Court depending on severity
IPC ↔ BNS Mapping
IPC Section:
IPC Section 195
BNS Equivalent:
Covered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions dealing with:
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Witness tampering
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Criminal intimidation
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Interference with judicial process
Status:
Conceptually continued
Real-Life Examples
Example 1:
Bribing a witness in a murder case to change statement.
Example 2:
Threatening a witness to not testify in court.
Example 3:
Offering money to suppress evidence in a fraud case.
Landmark Judgments
Case Name:
State of Bihar v. Murad Ali Khan
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Interference with witnesses undermines justice system and must be strictly punished.
Case Name:
Raghubir Singh v. State of Haryana
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Witness intimidation is a serious threat to fair trial.
Case Name:
M.S. Ahlawat v. State of Haryana
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Judicial process must remain free from external influence.
Legal Insights
When is this section applied?
Section 195 is applied when:
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Witnesses are bribed or threatened
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Evidence is suppressed intentionally
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Statements are manipulated in court
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Investigation is influenced improperly
Common Misuse Scenarios:
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Friendly advice misinterpreted as influence
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Civil settlement negotiations
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Lack of proof of coercion
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False allegations of witness tampering
Defenses Available:
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No intent to influence testimony
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No threat or inducement proven
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Legitimate legal negotiation
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Absence of witness connection
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False implication