Whoever makes or mends, or performs any part of the process of making or mending or buys, sells or disposes of, any die or instrument, for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for the purpose of counterfeiting 3Indian 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.
IPC Section 234: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 234 deals with the offence of possessing instruments or materials intended for counterfeiting coins. According to this section, anyone who has in their possession any machinery, instrument, or material with the knowledge or reason to believe that it is intended to be used for the purpose of counterfeiting coins is guilty of this offence. The focus of this section is on the possession of tools and materials that could be used to produce counterfeit coins, thereby preventing the facilitation of such illegal activities.
Is IPC Section 234 bailable?
The offence under IPC Section 234 is classified as non-bailable. This implies that an individual accused of possessing instruments or materials for counterfeiting coins does not have the automatic right to bail. The decision to grant bail rests with the court, which will consider the severity of the offence, the evidence presented, and the potential risk of the accused fleeing or interfering with the investigation.
IPC Section 234 Punishment
The punishment for the offence under IPC Section 234 is stringent to deter individuals from engaging in or facilitating the counterfeiting of coins. A person convicted under this section can be sentenced to imprisonment of either description (rigorous or straightforward) for a term that may extend to ten years, along with a fine. This severe punishment underscores the serious nature of the crime and aims to uphold the integrity of the currency system.
Example of IPC Section 234
A real-life example of IPC Section 234 could involve an individual named Arjun, who was found in possession of a variety of tools and materials specifically designed for minting counterfeit coins. These included metal sheets, dies, and other specialized equipment. Arjun was aware that these items were intended to be used for counterfeiting purposes. After a tip-off, law enforcement conducted a search of Arjun’s premises and discovered the contraband items. He was subsequently arrested and charged under IPC Section 234. Due to the non-bailable nature of the offence, Arjun was not granted bail and remained in custody during the trial. Upon conviction, he was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and fined, demonstrating the legal consequences of possessing instruments and materials for counterfeiting coins.
