242. Whoever falsely personates another, and in such assumed character makes any admission or statement, or confesses judgment, or causes any process to be issued or becomes bail or security, or does any other act in any suit or criminal prosecution, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 205 in BNS: Section 242
False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution
Section 205 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution) corresponds to Section 242 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 242 is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; punishment: Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 242 | False personation for the purpose of any act or proceeding in a suit or criminal prosecution, or for becoming bail or security. | Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 242
Full BNS Section 242 and every IPC section it replaced →
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