Whoever, not belonging to a certain class of public servants, wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by that class of public servants, with the intention that it may be believed, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed, that he belongs to that class of public servants, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both.
IPC Section 171: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of wearing a garb or carrying a token used by a public servant with fraudulent intent. Essentially, this section makes it illegal for any person to wear or possess any dress or token resembling any dress or token used by a public servant with the intent to deceive or impersonate the public servant. This section aims to prevent the misuse of official symbols or attire that could mislead the public or undermine the authority of genuine public servants.
Is IPC Section 171 bailable?
IPC Section 171 is a bailable offence. This means that a person accused under this section has the right to be released on bail after arrest, either on their bond or with sureties.
IPC Section 171 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 167 is significant. It entails imprisonment of either description for a term that can extend up to three years or a fine or both. This stringent penalty underscores the gravity of the offence and the legal system’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of official documents.
Example of IPC Section 171
A real-life example of IPC Section 171 occurred when an individual was arrested for impersonating a police officer. The person was found wearing a police uniform and carrying a badge without having any official authorization or being a member of the police force. This act was intended to deceive people into believing that he was a genuine police officer, which led to his arrest and charges under Section 171 of the IPC.
