The Supreme Court in State of Kerala v. Suni @ Sunil and connected matters [2025 INSC 1260] has held that threatening a person to give false evidence is a cognizable offence under Section 195A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The police can register an FIR and investigate such offences under Sections 154 and 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 1973 (CrPC).
It does not mandatorily require a Magistrate to make a complaint under Section 195(1)(b)(i) CrPC for registering the crime, like that of offences taking place as part of the proceedings in the court.
