For offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 the offence falls under BNS 342(1), which the BNSS First Schedule classifies as bailable and non-cognizable. Offences committed before that date are charged under the IPC.

CaseMinister › Sections › IPC › Section 475

IPC Section 475 in BNS: Section 342

Q: What is IPC 475 in BNS?

IPC Section 475 (Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material) is Section 342 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material

Section 475 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material) corresponds to Section 342 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 342(1) is non-cognizable, bailable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; punishment: Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 7 years and fine.

Bail, cognizability and punishment

Section	Offence	Punishment	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by
342(1)	Counterfeiting a device or mark used for authenticating documents described in section 338 or possessing counterfeit marked material.	Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 7 years and fine.	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class
342(2)	Counterfeiting a device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 338 or possessing counterfeit marked material.	Imprisonment for 7 years and fine.	Non-cognizable	Non-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 342

342. (1) Whoever counterfeits upon, or in the substance of, any material, any device or mark used for the purpose of authenticating any document described in section 338, intending that such device or mark shall be used for the purpose of giving the appearance of authenticity to any document then forged or thereafter to be forged on such material, or who, with such intent, has in his possession any material upon or in the substance of which any such device or mark has been counterfeited, 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.

(2) Whoever counterfeits upon, or in the substance of, any material, any device or mark used for the purpose of authenticating any document or electronic record other than the documents described in section 338, intending that such device or mark shall be used for the purpose of giving the appearance of authenticity to any document then forged or thereafter to be forged on such material, or who with such intent, has in his possession any material upon or in the substance of which any such device or mark has been counterfeited, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Full BNS Section 342 and every IPC section it replaced →

Other IPC sections now in BNS 342

IPC 476: Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material → BNS 342(2)

Ask CaseMinister about IPC 475 / BNS 342

Get the judgments that apply this section, with the paragraph relied on in each and what later Benches said about it. Two answers free on WhatsApp, no signup.

Ask on WhatsApp Start free on the web

← IPC 474IPC 476 →