Whoever, having any counterfeit coin, which at the time when he became possessed of it, he knew to be counterfeit, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, delivers the same to any persons or attempts to induce any person to receive it, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.
IPC Section 239: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 239 deals with the offence of delivering or attempting to deliver counterfeit coins while knowing that they are counterfeit. According to this section, anyone who gives, attempts to provide, or causes to be delivered to any person any counterfeit coin, knowing or having reason to believe that it is counterfeit, is guilty of this offence. This provision is designed to curb the circulation of counterfeit coins by criminalizing the act of knowingly distributing them.
Is IPC Section 239 bailable?
The offence under IPC Section 239 is classified as non-bailable. This means that an individual accused of delivering or attempting to deliver counterfeit coins, knowing them to be counterfeit, does not have the automatic right to be released on bail. The decision to grant bail lies with the court, which will consider the severity of the offence, the evidence against the accused, and the risk of the accused absconding or tampering with evidence before making a decision.
IPC Section 239 Punishment
The punishment for the offence under IPC Section 239 is stringent to deter individuals from engaging in the distribution of counterfeit coins. A person convicted under this section can be sentenced to imprisonment of either description (rigorous or simple) for a term which may extend to ten years, along with a fine. This severe punishment reflects the serious nature of the crime and aims to prevent the spread of counterfeit coins in the economy.
Example of IPC Section 239
A real-life example of IPC Section 239 could involve an individual named Priya, who was caught attempting to use counterfeit coins at various shops in her locality. Priya knew that the coins were fake but still tried to pass them off as genuine currency. After receiving complaints from several shopkeepers who noticed the counterfeit coins, law enforcement officers apprehended Priya and found a stash of counterfeit coins in her possession. She was arrested and charged under IPC Section 239 for delivering counterfeit coins, knowing that they were counterfeit. Given the non-bailable nature of the offence, Priya was not granted bail and remained in custody during the trial. Upon conviction, she was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and fined, highlighting the serious legal consequences of delivering counterfeit coins with knowledge of their falsity.
