Whoever, by personation or otherwise, shall intentionally cause, or knowingly suffer himself to be returned, empanelled or sworn as a juryman or assessor in any case in which he knows that he is not entitled by law to be so returned, empanelled or sworn, or knowing himself to have been so returned, empanelled or sworn contrary to law, shall voluntarily serve on such jury or as such assessor, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 229: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 229 deals with the act of a person who, having been legally bound by an oath or any express provision of law to state the truth, intentionally makes a false statement during a judicial proceeding. This section targets explicitly perjury, where an individual deliberately lies under oath in a court of law or any other legal proceeding. The integrity of judicial processes relies heavily on truthful testimonies, and perjury undermines the administration of justice.
Is IPC Section 229 Bailable?
Yes, IPC Section 229 is a bailable offence. This means the accused has the right to be released on bail, and the police or the court can grant it without waiting for a court hearing.
IPC Section 229 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 229 is the same as for giving false evidence, as defined under IPC Sections 193 to 195. The punishment can be:
- Imprisonment of either description (rigorous or straightforward) for a term which may extend to seven years,
- Fine,
- Or both imprisonment and fine.
The severity of the punishment underscores the seriousness of perjury and its potential to disrupt the course of justice.
Example of IPC Section 229
Consider a scenario where a witness in a criminal trial takes an oath, to tell the truth and then deliberately provides false testimony to protect the accused. The witness claims to have been with the accused at the time of the crime, providing a false alibi that contradicts other evidence presented in court.
Suppose it is later proven that the witness intentionally lied under oath. In that case, the witness can be charged under IPC Section 229 for making a false statement during a judicial proceeding. Upon conviction, the witness could face imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both.
This section is crucial for maintaining the credibility of judicial proceedings and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for providing false testimonies under oath.
