IPC Section 256: Having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp
Whoever has in his possession any instrument or material 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 any stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, 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 256: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 256 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of possessing instruments or materials intended for counterfeiting coins. This section targets individuals who are found in possession of any machinery, instruments, or materials that are used or intended to be used for the purpose of counterfeiting coins.
Is IPC Section 256 bailable?
No, IPC Section 256 is a non-bailable offence. This means that the accused does not have an automatic right to bail and must apply for bail before a magistrate or judge, who will decide whether or not to grant bail based on the specifics of the case.
IPC Section 256 Punishment
The punishment for IPC Section 256 is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with a fine. This reflects the seriousness of possessing tools and materials for counterfeiting, which is a preparatory step towards committing a significant offence against the economy and public trust.
Example of IPC Section 256
Consider a scenario where a person named Deepak is found with a sophisticated machine used to mint counterfeit coins, along with a substantial amount of metal discs and dies for striking fake coins. The police raided his workshop based on a tip-off and seized the equipment and materials. Upon investigation, it is revealed that Deepak was preparing to manufacture counterfeit coins. In this case, Deepak can be prosecuted under IPC Section 256 for possessing instruments and materials intended for counterfeiting coins.
