339. Whoever has in his possession any document or electronic record, knowing the same to be forged and intending that the same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine, shall, if the document or electronic record is one of the description mentioned in section 337 of this Sanhita, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
IPC Section 474 in BNS: Section 339
Having possession of document described in section 466 or 467, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it genuine
Section 474 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Having possession of document described in section 466 or 467, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it genuine) corresponds to Section 339 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 339 is cognizable, bailable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; punishment: Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 339 | Having possession of a document, knowing it to be forged, with intent to use it as genuine; if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 337. | Imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | Cognizable | Bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
| 339 | If the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338. | Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 7 years and fine. | 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 339
Full BNS Section 339 and every IPC section it replaced →
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