Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under section 467 of this Code, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
IPC Section 472: Simplified Explanation
Section 472 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) addresses the offence of making or possessing counterfeit seals, plates, etc., intending to commit a forgery punishable under section 467. This section targets individuals who create or possess any counterfeit seal, plate, or other instrument primarily intended for forging a document covered under IPC Section 467, which involves forgery of valuable security, will, etc.
The essence of this offence lies in the preparatory act of obtaining or creating tools that can be used to forge documents of critical importance. This anticipatory crime intends to commit significant forgery, potentially affecting large-scale financial or legal outcomes.
Is IPC Section 472 Bailable?
IPC Section 472 is non-bailable. This classification indicates that the accused has no automatic bail right. The decision to grant bail is at the court’s discretion, based on factors such as the nature of the offence, the accused’s history, and the potential risks involved if bail is granted.
IPC Section 472 Punishment
The Punishment for making or possessing a counterfeit seal or other instrument intending to commit forgery under IPC Section 472 is imprisonment for a term that may extend to seven years and liable to a fine. This severe penalty reflects the potential harm from using such instruments in forgery, especially given the documents involved under Section 467.
Example of IPC Section 472
A real-life example of an offence under IPC Section 472 could involve an individual manufacturing a counterfeit notary stamp or seal to create fake legal documents like property deeds or wills. For instance, someone could possess a forged notary seal and use it to authenticate fraudulent documents, aiming to illegally transfer property or claim an inheritance. If caught with this counterfeit seal and intended to use it in forgery, the individual would be prosecuted under IPC Section 472 due to such actions’ potential large-scale legal and financial ramifications.
