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Offences by public servants (BNS)Possibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

§ 198 — public servant knowingly disobeying a direction of law as to official conduct, intending / knowing it likely to cause injuryPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment: 0 (no mandatory prison) – 1 year simple imprisonment
Fine: Fine (amount not stated in section)

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Source

Statute: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 § 198
Official source: AapTaxLaw reproduction of BNS text (not India Code)
Verification status: India Code could not be read directly; figures corroborated from two independent reproductions of the BNS text. Chapter XII §§ 199–205 need a follow-up check.
Last verified: 2026-10-19

Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, judicial discretion; Prevention of Corruption Act charges. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.