Section 217: Whoever gives to any public servant any information which he knows or False
believes to be false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will information,
with intent to
thereby cause, such public servant— cause public
servant to use
(a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit his lawful
if the true state of facts respecting which such information is given were known by power to
him; or injury of
another
(b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance person.
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.
62 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY
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(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.