Whoever refuses to sign any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
IPC Section 180: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 180 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) addresses “Refusing to sign a statement.” This offence occurs when a person, legally bound to state the truth on any subject to any public servant or other person authorized by law, refuses to sign any statement they make when required by that public servant or other person. This section ensures that individuals comply with formally acknowledging their statements or declarations, which is critical for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the information provided in legal and administrative settings.
Is IPC Section 180 bailable?
IPC Section 180 is a bailable offence. This means an individual arrested under this section can secure their release on bail while awaiting further legal procedures.
IPC Section 180 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 180 includes simple imprisonment for a term extending to three months, or with a fine extending to five hundred rupees, or with both.
Example of IPC Section 180
A real-life example of IPC Section 180 could involve a witness in a legal investigation who provides a statement to the authorities but then refuses to sign the document, thereby not officially acknowledging the content as their own. This refusal undermines the legal process and the use of the statement in further proceedings. Another instance might be a person giving information during a government survey or audit and then declining to sign their completed questionnaire, affecting the validity of the data collected.
