177. Furnishing false information.-

Whoever, being legally bound to furnish information on any subject to any public servant, as such, furnishes, as true, information on the subject which he knows or has reason to believe to be false, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both;

or, if the information which he is legally bound to give respects the commission of an offence, or is requiredfor the purpose of preventing the commission of an offence,or in order to the apprehension of an offender, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Explanation.- In section 176 and in this section the word "offence" includes any act committed at any place out of India, which, if committted in India, would be punishable under any of the following sections, namely,302,304,382,392,393,394,395,396,397,398,399,402,435,436,449,450,457,458,459 and 460; and the word "offender" includes any person who is alleged to have been guilty of any such act.