Question

Knowingly and deliberately making false, deceptive, or untruthful statements before a court of law amounts to the offence of:

• A. Nuisance
• B. Mischief
• C. Perjury
• D. Negligence

Hint:

Perjury = Lying under oath. Whenever a witness knowingly gives false evidence in judicial proceedings, the offence committed is called Perjury.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The administration of justice depends upon truthful evidence. Courts rely on witnesses, affidavits, and statements made under oath. Any deliberate attempt to mislead the court undermines justice and is treated as a serious offence.

Step 1: Define Perjury. Perjury refers to the intentional act of giving false evidence or making a false statement while under a legal obligation to speak the truth. A person commits perjury when:

• He is legally bound by oath or law to tell the truth.

• He knowingly makes a false statement.

• He knows the statement is false or does not believe it to be true.

Step 2: Understand its legal significance. False testimony can:

• Mislead judges.

• Cause wrongful convictions.

• Lead to acquittal of guilty persons.

• Obstruct the course of justice.
Because of these consequences, perjury is treated as an offence against public justice.

Step 3: Distinguish from other options.

• Nuisance involves interference with public or private rights.

• Mischief involves causing wrongful loss through damage to property.

• Negligence involves failure to exercise reasonable care.

• Perjury specifically concerns deliberate false statements under oath.
Therefore, the act described in the question clearly constitutes perjury.

Conclusion: Knowingly making false statements before a court of law is the offence of

Perjury. Hence,

Option (C) is correct.