Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
Section 241 :
Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence :
(See section 204 of IPC 1860)
Section : 241
Classification of Offence:
Offence : Secreting or destroying any document to prevent its production as evidence.
Punishment : Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine of 5000 rupees, or both.
Cognizable or Non-cognizable : Non-cognizable
Bailable or Non-bailable : Bailable
Compoundable or Non-compoundable : Non-compoundable
By Which Court Triable : Magistrate of the first class.
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Whoever secretes or destroys any document or electronic record which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such document or electronic record with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC 1860)
Section 204 :
Destruction of 1.[document or electronic record] to prevent its production as evidence:
(See section 241 of BNS 2023)
Classification of Offence:
Offence: Secreting or destroying any document to prevent its production as evidence.
Punishment :Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both.
Cognizable or Non-cognizable :Non-cognizable
Bailable or Non-bailable :Bailable.
Compoundable or Non-compoundable : Non-compoundable
By Which Court Triable :Magistrate of the first class.
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Whoever secretes or destroys any 1.[document or electronic record] which he may be lawfully compelled to produce as evidence in a Court of Justice, or in any proceeding lawfully held before a public servant, as such, or obliterates or renders illegible the whole or any part of such 1.[document or electronic record] with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before such Court or public servant as aforesaid, or after he shall have been lawfully summoned or required to produce the same for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
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1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2000, s. 91 and the First Sch., for “document” (w.e.f. 17-10-2000).