Whoever counterfeits or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting coin, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanations
- A person commits this offence who intending to practise deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practised, causes a genuine coin to appear like a different coin.
IPC Section 231: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 231 deals specifically with the offence of counterfeiting currency notes or bank notes. According to this section, anyone who manufactures or produces a counterfeit currency note or bank note, intending to use it as genuine or knowing it to be likely that it will be used as authentic, is guilty of this offence. The section focuses on the act of producing fake currency with the intent to deceive others by passing it off as real money. This offence is considered very serious due to its potential impact on the economy and public trust in the currency system.
Is IPC Section 231 bailable?
The offence defined under IPC Section 231 is non-bailable. This means that an accused person does not have an automatic right to bail and must seek bail from the court, which will consider factors such as the seriousness of the offence, the likelihood of the accused fleeing, and the possibility of tampering with evidence before deciding whether to grant bail.
IPC Section 231 Punishment
The punishment for counterfeiting currency notes or bank notes under IPC Section 231 is severe to reflect the gravity of the offence. An individual convicted under this section is subject to imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description (rigorous or straightforward) for a term that may extend to ten years. Additionally, the convict is also liable to pay a fine. This dual punishment of imprisonment and fine aims to deter individuals from engaging in the act of counterfeiting and underscores the seriousness of the crime.
Example of IPC Section 231
A real-life example of IPC Section 231 could involve an individual named Sunil, who was caught producing counterfeit currency notes in a clandestine workshop. Sunil had access to sophisticated printing equipment and materials, enabling him to create high-quality fake notes that were difficult to distinguish from genuine currency. He intended to circulate these counterfeit notes in various markets, thus deceiving unsuspecting shopkeepers and customers. After being apprehended by the police, Sunil was charged under IPC Section 231. Given the non-bailable nature of the offence, he was detained without bail and subsequently faced a trial. Upon conviction, Sunil was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined a substantial amount, illustrating the legal system’s stringent measures against counterfeiting currency.
