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 any section of this Chapter other than section 467, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, 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 473: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 473 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of making or possessing counterfeit seals, plates, etc., with the intent to commit a forgery punishable otherwise than under section 467. This section is similar to IPC Section 472. Still, it applies to cases where the intended forgery is not of the types specified under IPC Section 467 (like valuable security or will).
This section targets individuals who create or possess tools such as counterfeit seals, plates, or other instruments to use them to forge documents that might lead to offences not as severe as those under Section 467 but still significant. This includes making or possessing these items to create forged documents that could be used for less impactful but still illegal purposes.
Is IPC Section 473 Bailable?
IPC Section 473 is non-bailable. Bail is not a right but is subject to judicial discretion. The court will decide whether to grant bail based on the seriousness of the offence, the accused’s background, and the potential threat or risk they might pose if released.
IPC Section 473 Punishment
The Punishment for making or possessing counterfeit tools intending to commit forgery, as per IPC Section 473, is imprisonment for a term that may extend to seven years and liable to a fine. The severity of the Punishment reflects the potential damage that could arise from using such tools in forging documents, even if not covered under the most severe forgery offences.
Example of IPC Section 473
A real-life example of an offence under IPC Section 473 could involve someone possessing a counterfeit academic certificate template intending to create fake degrees for students. Suppose an individual has software and templates designed to produce counterfeit university certificates. If they are caught with these materials, and it’s proven they intended to use them to create and distribute fake academic credentials, they would be prosecuted under IPC Section 473, given the intent to use these forged documents for purposes like job applications or further education admissions.
