Whoever, fraudulently or dishonestly performs on any coin any operation which diminishes the weight or alters the composition of that coin, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanations a person who scoops out part of the coin and puts anything else into the cavity alters the composition of the coin.
IPC Section 246: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 246 addresses the offence of fraudulently or dishonestly diminishing the weight or altering the composition of a coin. This section is designed to maintain the integrity and standard value of the currency. Altering the weight or composition of a coin undermines its value and can disrupt economic transactions. This offence involves any act where an individual intentionally modifies a coin to reduce its weight or change its material composition with fraudulent or dishonest intent.
The critical elements of this offence include:
- The accused must have fraudulently or dishonestly diminished the weight or altered the composition of a coin.
- The act must be intentional, aimed at defrauding or deceiving others.
Is IPC Section 246 bailable?
No, IPC Section 246 is a non-bailable offence. This means that bail is not granted as a matter of right, and the accused can only be released on bail at the discretion of the court, considering the specifics of the case.
IPC Section 246 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 246 is imprisonment of either description (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to three years, along with a fine. This punishment reflects the seriousness of the offence and its potential impact on the economy and public trust in the currency.
Example of IPC Section 246
Imagine a scenario involving a jeweller named Ramesh. Ramesh comes across a batch of silver coins and decides to file off small amounts of silver from each coin, which he then collects and melts down to create a small bar of silver for himself. Ramesh then puts the diminished coins back into circulation. Over time, people begin to notice that the coins are lighter than they should be, and the authorities start an investigation. The investigation leads them to Ramesh, who is found to have fraudulently diminished the weight of the coins. As a result, Ramesh is charged under IPC Section 246 for dishonestly altering the weight of the coins, and he faces the prescribed punishment for this severe and fraudulent offence.
