Section 245: Fraudulently Suffering Decree for Sum Not Due

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita • Chapter XII: Of Contempts of Lawful Authority of Public Servants • Official Statutory Text & Legal Guide

Chapter XII: Of Contempts of Lawful Authority of Public Servants
Magistrate 1st Class
Bailable
Non-Cognizable
Formerly Sec 208 IPC

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 245

Section 245 penalises fraudulently suffering a decree or order for a sum not due, or for a larger sum than is due, or suffering execution after satisfaction.

  • Fraudulent Collusion: Collusively suffering a court decree or order to be passed against oneself.
  • Absence of Debt: The sum decreed is not legally due, or is for an inflated amount, or has already been satisfied.
  • Intent to Defraud: Calculated to defraud legitimate creditors or defeat subsequent executions.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • S.P. Chengalvaraya Naidu v. Jagannath (1994) 1 SCC 1: The Supreme Court laid down that collusive decrees obtained by suppressing material facts or simulating debts constitute fraud on the court.
  • A.V. Papayya Sastry v. Govt. of A.P. (2007) 4 SCC 221: Held that a judgment obtained by fraud or collusion is a non-est nullity, and the parties are liable to criminal prosecution.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In insolvency or debt recovery proceedings, expose fake consent decrees obtained in friendly arbitration or bogus civil suits to siphon off debtor assets.