Central

Section 7 of The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873

Power to administer oath.

For the purpose of ascertaining the right of the person claiming to be entitled as aforesaid, the 1[Authorised Officer] of 2[a Government Savings Bank] may take evidence on oath or affirmation according to the law3 for the time being relating to oaths oaths and affirmations. Penalty for false statements.--Any person who, upon such oath or affirmation, makes any statement which is false, and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall be deemed guilty of an offence under section 193 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

Summary

The Authorised Officer has the power to make people take an oath or affirmation to prove they are entitled to a deposit.
This power is used to verify the rights of anyone claiming the money of a deceased depositor.
If someone tells a lie while under this oath, they are considered to have committed a criminal offence.
The penalty for lying under oath is governed by Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code.

Practical examples

1To confirm that Mrs. Gupta is indeed the only living daughter of a deceased depositor, the Authorised Officer asks her to sign a formal affirmation and swear that her statement is true.

2Rahul tells the bank officer under oath that he is the only heir. Later, it is discovered that he hid the fact that he has two sisters. Rahul can now be charged with a crime under the Indian Penal Code for making a false statement.

FAQ

1. What happens if I accidentally make a mistake while under oath?

The law punishes statements that are "false" and which the person "either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true." Honest accidents are generally different from intentional lies.

2. Which law is used to punish someone who lies to the bank officer under Section 7?

They are punished under Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with giving false evidence.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 7 of The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873, for what purpose may an Authorised Officer take evidence on oath?

Q2.Under Section 7 of The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873, making a false statement under oath is deemed an offence under which law?

Q3.Under Section 7 of The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873, what two methods can the officer use to take evidence?

Q4.Under Section 7 of The Government Savings Promotion Act, 1873, a person is guilty of an offence if they make a false statement they:

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