178Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it.

Whoever refuses to bind himself by an oath ¹ [or affirmation] to state the truth, when required so to bind himself by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall so bind himself, 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.