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BNS Section 179

Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank notes

Whoever sells or delivers to, or buys or receives from, any other person, or otherwise traffics or uses as genuine, any forged or counterfeit coin, stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, currency-note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.


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Key Points:
Offense of Using Forged or Counterfeit Items:

This section deals with individuals who knowingly or having reason to believe that an item (coin, stamp, currency note, or banknote) is forged or counterfeit, yet they proceed to:
Sell, deliver, buy, receive, or traffic in those items.
Use these forged or counterfeit items as if they were genuine.

Punishment:
The punishment for committing this offense includes:
Imprisonment for life.
Alternatively, imprisonment of either description (rigorous or simple) for a term of up to ten years.
In addition, the offender is also liable to pay a fine.

Key Definitions:
Forged: Refers to something that has been fraudulently made or altered with the intent to deceive, particularly financial or official items like coins, stamps, or banknotes.
Counterfeit: Items that are falsely made to appear as if they are authentic or genuine, often mimicking the look of legitimate coins, stamps, or notes issued by authorities.
Trafficking: The act of selling, trading, or moving illegal goods, in this case, counterfeit or forged currency or stamps.

Knowledge and Intention:
To be punished under this section, the person must either:
Know that the items they are using or selling are counterfeit or forged.
Have reason to believe that these items are not genuine, meaning there are circumstances or signs that should have alerted them to the possibility of forgery.

Importance of the Law:
The section targets criminal activities that undermine economic stability and trust in financial systems.
By imposing severe punishments, it acts as a deterrent to individuals who might attempt to use or distribute counterfeit money or government-issued documents.
It protects both individuals and institutions from the harm caused by counterfeit currency and stamps, which can damage financial transactions and revenue systems.


Offence : Using as genuine forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp currency-notes or bank-notes.


Punishment : Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 10 years and fine.


Cognizable or Non-cognizable : Cognizable.


Bailable or Non-bailable : Non-bailable.


By what Court triable : Court of Session.




Browse through our complete index of all BNS sections. Learn about the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with our extensive resource that covers every section in detail.


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