Whoever delivers to any other person as genuine or as a coin of a different description from what it is, or attempts to induce any person to receive as genuine, or as a different coin from what it is, any coin in respect of which he knows that any such operation as that mentioned in sections 246, 247, 248 or 249 has been performed, but in respect of which he did not, at the time when he took it into his possession, know that such operation had been performed, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine to an amount which may extend to ten times the value of the coin for which the altered coin is passed, or attempted to be passed.
IPC Section 254: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 254 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) addresses the offence of delivering an Indian coin that a person knows or has reason to believe is altered. This section is similar to Section 251 but specifically pertains to Indian coins. The essence of this section is to punish individuals who, knowing a coin to be altered, deliver it to someone else, intending to use it as genuine or to deceive.
Is IPC Section 254 bailable?
Yes, IPC Section 254 is a bailable offence. This means that the accused has the right to be released on bail upon providing the required surety or fulfilling other conditions set by the court.
IPC Section 254 Punishment
The punishment for IPC Section 254 is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, with a fine, or with both. This indicates that the court has the discretion to impose a prison term, a monetary fine, or both, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offence.
Example of IPC Section 254
Consider a situation where a person named Manoj finds an Indian coin that has been altered to resemble a higher denomination coin. Manoj, knowing that the coin is changed, decides to use it to pay for a meal at a restaurant. He hands over the coin to the cashier, pretending it to be a genuine higher denomination coin. The cashier later discovers the alteration and reports it to the police. During the investigation, it was found that Manoj was aware of the alteration when he delivered the coin. In this case, Manoj can be prosecuted under IPC Section 254 for providing an altered Indian coin with the knowledge of its alteration and intending to use it fraudulently.
