Code
Whoever gives to any public servant any information which he knows or believes to be
false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, such public
servant—(a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit if the true state of
facts respecting which such information is given were known by him; or(b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance of any person,shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or
with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.Illustrations.(a) A informs a Magistrate that Z, a police officer, subordinate to such Magistrate, has been guilty of
neglect of duty or misconduct, knowing such information to be false, and knowing it to be likely that the
information will cause the Magistrate to dismiss Z. A has committed the offence defined in this section.(b) A falsely informs a public servant that Z has contraband salt in a secret place, knowing such
information to be false, and knowing that it is likely that the consequence of the information will be a
search of Z’s premises, attended with annoyance to Z. A has committed the offence defined in this
section.(c) A falsely informs a policeman that he has been assaulted and robbed in the neighbourhood of a
particular village. He does not mention the name of any person as one of his assailants, but knows it to be
likely that in consequence of this information the police will make enquiries and institute searches in the
village to the annoyance of the villagers or some of them. A has committed an offence under this section.
