Section Overview
Section Number:
IPC Section 214
Section Title:
Offering Gift to Procure Compromise of Offence
Act:
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC)
Status:
Active under IPC framework (principle retained under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023)
Applicability:
IPC Section 214 applies when:
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A person offers or gives any gift, property, or benefit;
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The purpose is to induce compromise of a criminal offence;
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The intention is to suppress prosecution or legal action;
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The act interferes with justice delivery.
The section commonly applies in:
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Criminal settlement attempts;
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Bribery to withdraw FIR;
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Compensation offered to silence victim;
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Corruption in criminal compromise;
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Family or private settlement of cognizable offences;
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Attempts to obstruct investigation.
Section Explanation
Simple Explanation (Plain English/Hinglish)
IPC Section 214 ka simple matlab hai ki agar koi person kisi criminal case ko chupane ya compromise karwane ke liye dusre ko paisa, gift ya benefit offer karta hai, to woh offence karta hai.
👉 Simple words:
“Crime ko compromise karne ke liye paisa ya gift offer karna illegal hai.”
Legal Definition (Original Law Meaning)
The essence of Section 214 is:
Whoever offers or gives any gratification to induce any person to compound or refrain from prosecuting an offence, commits an offence.
Practical Interpretation
Section 214 ensures that:
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Criminal offences are not privately settled where law prohibits it;
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Victims or witnesses are not bribed;
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Justice is not obstructed;
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Investigation is not influenced.
To establish liability:
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Offer of gift or benefit must exist;
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Purpose must be to compromise offence;
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There must be knowledge of ongoing or potential criminal case;
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Intention must be to obstruct justice.
Punishment & Legal Classification
Punishment:
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Imprisonment up to 2 years, OR
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Fine, OR
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Both
Bailable / Non-Bailable:
Generally Bailable
Cognizable / Non-Cognizable:
Generally Non-Cognizable
Compoundable:
Non-Compoundable
Triable By:
Any Magistrate
IPC ↔ BNS Mapping
IPC Section:
IPC Section 214
BNS Equivalent:
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita continues provisions dealing with:
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Obstruction of justice;
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Inducement to compromise criminal offences;
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Bribery in criminal proceedings.
Status:
Concept retained under BNS framework.
Real-Life Examples
Example 1:
A person offers money to a victim to withdraw a criminal complaint of assault.
Section 214 may apply.
Example 2:
An accused offers a settlement amount to police officials to stop investigation in a theft case.
Such conduct may attract Section 214.
Example 3:
A businessman offers financial benefit to complainant to compromise a fraud case.
The offence may fall under Section 214.
Landmark Judgments
Case Name:
State of Punjab v. Amar Singh
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Attempts to interfere with criminal justice through inducement or compromise undermine the legal system.
Case Name:
State of Maharashtra v. Natwarlal Damodardas Soni
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Obstruction of justice through indirect or direct inducement is punishable under criminal law principles.
Case Name:
R. v. Kedar Nath Singh Principles Applied (Analogous reasoning)
Court:
Supreme Court of India
Key Takeaway:
Public justice cannot be converted into private bargaining.
Legal Insights
When is this section applied?
Section 214 is commonly applied when:
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Victims are bribed to withdraw complaints;
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Criminal cases are settled through illegal inducement;
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Witnesses are influenced to compromise;
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Investigation is obstructed through offers.
Common Misuse Scenarios
Genuine Compensation
Legal compensation without intent to obstruct justice is not covered.
Civil Settlements Confusion
Civil disputes settled mutually may not attract Section 214.
Lack of Criminal Intent
No offence if there is no intention to suppress prosecution.
Misinterpreted Negotiations
Settlement discussions may be wrongly treated as bribery.
Defenses Available
No Intent to Obstruct Justice
Offer was not meant to suppress criminal proceedings.
Lawful Compensation
Payment was made as legal compensation.
Absence of Criminal Case Influence
No active criminal proceedings were affected.
Lack of Evidence
No proof of inducement or offer.