Whoever performs on any Indian coin any operation which alters the appearance of that coin, with the intention that the said coin shall pass as a coin of a different description, 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 249: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 249 addresses the offence of delivering or attempting to deliver a counterfeit coin with the knowledge that it is counterfeit. This section is designed to protect the integrity of the currency and to penalize those who knowingly attempt to circulate counterfeit money. The focus of this section is on the act of delivery or attempted delivery, regardless of whether the coin is eventually accepted or rejected by the recipient.
The critical elements of this offence include:
- The accused must have delivered or attempted to provide a coin.
- The accused must have had knowledge that the coin was counterfeit at the time of delivery or attempt.
- The act must be intentional and fraudulent.
Is IPC Section 249 bailable?
No, IPC Section 249 is a non-bailable offence. This means that the accused does not have the right to be released on bail as a matter of right, and bail can only be granted at the discretion of the court, considering the specifics of the case.
IPC Section 249 Punishment
The punishment for an offence under IPC Section 249 is imprisonment of either description (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to five years, along with a fine. This significant punishment reflects the seriousness of the offence and its potential impact on the economy and public trust in the currency.
Example of IPC Section 249
Consider a scenario involving a woman named Anita, who comes across a stash of counterfeit coins. Despite knowing that the coins are fake, Anita decides to use them to make purchases at a local market. She attempts to pay a vendor with the counterfeit coins, but the vendor immediately recognizes that the coins are not genuine and reports the incident to the authorities. An investigation reveals that Anita was aware of the counterfeit nature of the coins when she attempted to use them. Consequently, Anita is charged under IPC Section 249 for delivering counterfeit coins with the knowledge of their counterfeit nature, and she faces the prescribed punishment for this severe and fraudulent offence.
