BNS Section 214
What happens if I refuse to answer a public servant's question when I am legally required to tell the truth?
Short answer
You may be sentenced to up to six months imprisonment, a fine up to ₹5,000, or both.
In detail
The law says that if you are under a legal duty to tell the truth about a particular matter to any public official, and that official asks you a question about that matter while exercising their lawful authority, you must answer. If you deliberately refuse to answer, the offence is punishable. The punishment can be a simple term of imprisonment that may last as long as six months, a monetary fine that may be as high as five thousand rupees, or a combination of both imprisonment and fine. The provision applies only when the question relates to the subject on which you are bound to speak truthfully and when the public servant is acting within their legal powers. Failure to comply therefore leads to criminal liability under this section.
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Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.