Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office or falsely personates any other person holding such office, and in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
IPC Section 170: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 170 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of impersonating a public servant. This section makes it illegal for anyone to pretend to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing they do not have such office. The essence of this section is to prevent individuals from falsely assuming the identity or authority of public servants, which could mislead the public and disrupt the functioning of governmental and public institutions.
Is IPC Section 170 bailable?
IPC Section 170 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 170 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 170
A real-life example of IPC Section 170 occurred when a man was arrested for pretending to be a traffic police officer and issuing fake tickets to motorists. The individual wore a uniform similar to that of the traffic police and used a whistle to stop drivers, claiming fines for various violations. His actions led to his arrest, and he was charged under IPC Section 170 for impersonating a public servant.
