Whoever makes, or causes to be made, or uses for any purpose whatsoever, or delivers to any person, any document purporting to be, or in any way resembling, or so nearly resembling as to be calculated to deceive, any currency-note or bank-note shall be punished with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.If any person, whose name appears on a document the making of which is an offence under sub-section (1), refuses, without lawful excuse, to disclose to a police-officer on being so required the name and address of the person by whom it was printed or otherwise made, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. Where the name of any person appears on any document in respect of which any person is charged with an offence under sub-section (1) or on any other document used or distributed in connection with that document it may, until the contrary is proved, be presumed that that person caused the document to be made.
IPC Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 489E of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) addresses the offence of making or using documents resembling currency notes or bank notes. This section specifically targets individuals who create, use, or possess any document or object that bears a close resemblance to official currency notes or bank notes with the intent to deceive. The focus here is on preventing the misuse of documents or objects that could be confused with genuine currency, thereby protecting the public from being deceived or misled.
This provision aims to prevent fraud and deception that could arise from the circulation or use of objects or documents that mimic the appearance of real currency, safeguard the integrity of the financial system, and maintain public trust in the monetary system.
Is IPC Section 489E Bailable?
IPC Section 489E is bailable. This status means that the accused has the right to be released on bail, usually upon furnishing a bond or surety as determined by the police or court, based on the case’s specifics.
IPC Section 489E Punishment
Under IPC Section 489E, the Punishment for making or using documents resembling currency notes or bank notes is imprisonment for a term that may extend to three years, a fine, or both. This penalty reflects the need to deter the creation and circulation of deceptive materials that could be mistaken for genuine currency, promoting the security and reliability of the monetary system.
Example of IPC Section 489E
A real-life example of an offence under IPC Section 489E could involve a scenario where a person prints and distributes novelty currency for a marketing campaign without clear indications that this is not real money. Suppose a company produces and hands out promotional notes that closely resemble the national currency in a public event to attract attention. If these notes are so similar to actual currency that they cause confusion and lead to their use in transactions as if they were real, the individuals responsible could be prosecuted under IPC Section 489E for creating and using documents resembling official currency, highlighting the importance of clarity and distinction in such promotional materials to avoid legal issues and public confusion.
