336. (1) Whoever makes any false document or false electronic record or part of a document or electronic record, with intent to cause damage or injury, to the public or to any person, or to support any claim or title, or to cause any person to part with property, or to enter into any express or implied contract, or with intent to commit fraud or that fraud may be committed, commits forgery. (2) Whoever commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. (3) Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. (4) Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall harm the reputation of any party, or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
BNS Section 336: Forgery
Section 336 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with forgery. It replaces IPC 463, IPC 465, IPC 468, IPC 469 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Under the BNSS First Schedule, it depends on the sub-section: 336(2) is non-cognizable and bailable; 336(3) is cognizable and non-bailable; 336(4) is cognizable and bailable.
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Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 336(2) | Forgery. | Imprisonment for 2 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
| 336(3) | Forgery for the purpose of cheating. | Imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
| 336(4) | Forgery for the purpose of harming the reputation of any person or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose. | Imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
Text of BNS Section 336
IPC sections replaced
- IPC 463: Forgery
- IPC 465: Punishment for forgery → BNS 336(2)
- IPC 468: Forgery for purpose of cheating → BNS 336(3)
- IPC 469: Forgery for purpose of harming reputation → BNS 336(4)
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