False statement in connection with an election
Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 deals with false statement in connection with an election. Whoever with intent to affect the result of an election makes or publishes any statement purporting to be a statement of fact which is false and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate shall be pu The Act came into force on 01 Jan 1862. Repealed by section 358 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
Whoever with intent to affect the result of an election makes or publishes any statement purporting to be a statement of fact which is false and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, in relation to the personal character or conduct of any candidate shall be punished with fine.
Section 171G, The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act 45 of 1860).
Now in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
BNS 175 False statement in connection with an election Text carried over almost unchanged 100%
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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
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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Priyanka vs State of Haryana
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When there exists a reasonable doubt regarding the commission of forgery by the accused based on conflicting documentary evidence (such as discrepancy between Aadhaar card and birth certificate regarding date of birth), and the accused is otherwise ready to cooperate with investigation, anticipatory bail should be granted under Section 438 Cr.P.C. The doubt raised as to who actually committed the forgery is sufficient to warrant grant of bail without commenting on the merits of the case.
On this section: Illegal voting or voting by person not entitled to vote
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.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… It is also argued by learned counsel that alleged omission of the petitioner constitutes an offence envisaged under Chapter IXA of the Indian Penal Code i.e. Section 171G IPC, which is a non-cognizable and bailable offence. It is submitted by learned counsel that in the backdrop of facts and circumstances of the case, even if the petitioner has furnished false declaration about his children then too it can be made subject matter of Election Petition, and therefore, it is not …
Questions about Section 171G
What have the courts held on Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code?
Priyanka vs State of Haryana (06 May 2022) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Illegal voting or voting by person not entitled to vote.
How do I find court cases under Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code?
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: IPC 171G, section 171G IPC, section 171G of the Indian Penal Code. 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 Priyanka vs State of Haryana (06 May 2022).
What should I read with Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BNS 175 (False statement in connection with an election), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code come into force?
Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code, cited as IPC 171G, came into force on 01 Jan 1862, having been enacted on 06 Oct 1860. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 499. Defamation1512 words
- 464. Making a false document1223 words
- 300. Murder1172 words
- 378. Theft980 words
- 108. Abettor745 words
- 403. Dishonest misappropriation of property727 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. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item 7b7d4fe6-206b-4e33-81f1-b98b018acaf6). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.