Whoever counterfeits upon, or in the substance of, any material, any device or mark used for the purpose of authenticating any document described in section 467 of this Code, intending that such device or mark shall be used for the purpose of giving the appearance of authenticity to any document then forged or thereafter to be forged on such material, or who, with such intent, has in his possession any material upon or in the substance of which any such device or mark has been counterfeited, shall be punished with 1 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 475: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 475 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the offence of counterfeiting a device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in sections 467, 468, or 477. Essentially, this section targets individuals involved in counterfeiting any seal, plate, or other device meant to authenticate documents that aren’t covered under the most severe forgery offences but are still important.
This provision aims to prevent the misuse of less critical but still significant authenticating devices or marks. These could include seals or stamps used by organisations or institutions for routine but essential documentation, which, if counterfeited, could lead to deceit and legal violations on a smaller yet impactful scale.
Is IPC Section 475 Bailable?
IPC Section 475 is bailable. This designation means that the accused has the right to bail under the law, and depending on the circumstances, they can be released on bail by providing surety or a bond as determined by the court or the police.
IPC Section 475 Punishment
As per IPC Section 475, the Punishment for counterfeiting devices or marks used for authenticating documents is imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, a fine, or both. This reflects the recognition of the potential harm such actions can cause, though not as severe as the harm from forging critical legal or financial documents.
Example of IPC Section 475
A real-life example of an offence under IPC Section 475 could involve an individual manufacturing counterfeit university stamps and seals. Suppose someone creates fake stamps meant to authenticate academic transcripts or certificates. If these counterfeit marks are used to authenticate documents that mislead employers or educational institutions about a person’s qualifications, the individual responsible for creating these counterfeit marks would be prosecuted under IPC Section 475. This action is taken because of the potential deception and the challenges it poses to the integrity of academic and professional standards.
