Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any document or electronic record which he knows or has reason to believe to be a forged document or electronic record, shall be punished in the same manner as if he had forged such document or electronic record.
IPC Section 471: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertains to the offence of using a forged document as genuine. This section comes into play when an individual knowingly uses any document or electronic record that they know or have reason to believe to be a forged document as genuine. The critical element of this offence is the awareness and intent to use a forged document as if it were authentic.
The offence under this section concerns the creation and usage of the forged document. Using such a document is considered as grave as forging it because it involves the intention to deceive or cause harm through its use.
Is IPC Section 471 Bailable?
IPC Section 471 is non-bailable. This status indicates that the right to bail is not automatic and is subject to the court’s discretion, which will assess the offence’s severity, the case’s circumstances, and the character of the accused.
IPC Section 471 Punishment
The Punishment for using a forged document as genuine under IPC Section 471 is the same as the Punishment for forgery under the section under which the document would be considered forged. For example, if the forged document falls under Section 465, the Punishment would be imprisonment for up to two years, with a fine or both. The severity of the Punishment aligns with the corresponding forgery offence.
Example of IPC Section 471
A real-life example of an offence under IPC Section 471 could involve an individual using a forged academic certificate to apply for a job. Suppose someone possesses a fake degree certificate and submits it to a prospective employer, knowing it to be forged, to secure a position for which they are otherwise unqualified. If this fraudulent action is discovered, the person would be charged under IPC Section 471 for using the forged document as genuine, facing the penalties applicable to the forgery of such a document.
