Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false
Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with using as true such declaration knowing it to be false. Whoever corruptly uses or attempts to use as true any such declaration, knowing the same to be false in any material point, shall be punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
Whoever corruptly uses or attempts to use as true any such declaration, knowing the same to be false in any material point, shall be punished in the same manner as if he gave false evidence.
Explanation.—A declaration which is inadmissible merely upon the ground of some informality, is a declaration within the meaning of section 236 and this section.
Section 237, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code
IPC 200 Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false Text carried over almost unchanged 95%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
How this offence is classified
From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.
| Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Using as true any such declaration known to be false. | The same as for giving false evidence. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Court by which offence of giving false evidence is triable. |
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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N. K. Prasada vs Govt. of India
Decided under Indian Penal Code 200, which this section replaces. The court did not have this Act before it.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a party with proper notice of proceedings chooses not to appear and participate in proceedings, including not cross-examining witnesses, they cannot later claim violation of principles of natural justice. The burden lies on the party to demonstrate both absence of proper notice and serious prejudice arising therefrom. Further, the Supreme Court may refuse to exercise its discretionary jurisdiction under Article 136 when the appellant has abused the process of court or engaged in fraud. The PIL mechanism, while intended for public interest, cannot be allowed to serve as a destructive weapon against legitimate government orders or decisions, and courts must exercise self-restraint in recognizing and preventing such abuse.
On this section: Furnishing false information regarding commission of offense
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 237
What have the courts held on Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
N. K. Prasada vs Govt. of India (12 Apr 2004) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below, though it was decided under IPC 200, which this section replaced -- the court never mentioned this Act: Furnishing false information regarding commission of offense.
Is Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?
Bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Is Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?
Non-cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Court by which offence of giving false evidence is triable.
How do I find court cases under Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 237, section 237 BNS, section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 237(2) and 237 bns punishment. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with N. K. Prasada vs Govt. of India (12 Apr 2004).
What should I read with Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 236 (False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence), so none of them can safely be read on its own. It carries forward IPC 200 (Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?
Section 237 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 237, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions2199 words
- 356. Defamation1543 words
- 335. Making a false document1318 words
- 101. Murder1177 words
- 303. Theft1104 words
- 3. General explanations858 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.