A false document or electronic record made wholly or in part by forgery is designated “a forged document or electronic record”.
IPC Section 470: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 470 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines “forged” in the context of the various offences of forgery outlined in the preceding sections. This section clarifies that a document or electronic record is considered “forged” if it meets the criteria set out in IPC Section 464, which involves making a false document or part of a document intending to cause harm, defraud, or deceive.
The significance of Section 470 lies in its role in connecting the act of making a false document (Section 464) with the various specific intentions and contexts of forgery, as detailed in Sections 465 to 469. A “forged” document has been fabricated or altered falsely with an intent that makes it fall under the ambit of any forgery-related offences.
Is IPC Section 470 Bailable?
Since IPC Section 470 is a definitional provision and does not prescribe a specific offence or Punishment, the bailability status depends on the specific forgery section under which an individual is charged. Typically, forgery offences are non-bailable, but the final determination is based on the specific circumstances and sections invoked.
IPC Section 470 Punishment
Similarly, IPC Section 470 does not prescribe a punishment as it is a definitional section. The Punishment for a “forged” document is determined by the specific forgery section under which the offence falls, such as Sections 465, 466, 467, 468, and 469, each detailing different contexts and corresponding penalties.
Example of IPC Section 470
To illustrate the application of IPC Section 470, consider a scenario where an individual alters a government-issued identification card to access restricted services or locations. This act meets the criteria of making a false document under Section 464. Depending on the intent and consequences, it could be prosecuted under various forgery sections. If the intent was to cheat or defraud, it might fall under Section 468 or 465, respectively. In this scenario, the “forged” document is the altered identification card, as defined by Section 470.
