Section 199 of BNS : Section 199: Public servant disobeying direction under law.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Rajesh is a police officer in Mumbai. He receives a complaint about a theft that occurred in a local market. According to the law, he is required to record the complaint and start an investigation. However, Rajesh decides to ignore the complaint because he knows the accused personally and does not want to get him into trouble. By failing to record the information given to him, Rajesh is disobeying the direction under the law, specifically under sub-section (1) of section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. As a result, Rajesh could be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of six months to two years and may also be liable to pay a fine.

Example 2:

Sunita is a government tax officer in Delhi. She is conducting an investigation into a case of tax evasion. The law requires her to follow specific procedures during the investigation, including notifying the accused and allowing them to present their case. However, Sunita decides to skip these steps and directly imposes a penalty on the accused without giving them a chance to defend themselves. By knowingly disobeying the legal directions regulating the manner of conducting the investigation, Sunita is acting to the prejudice of the accused. Consequently, Sunita could face rigorous imprisonment for a term of six months to two years and may also be liable to pay a fine.