IPC 240 to BNS 179: Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit

Section 240 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 179 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 240 →View BNS Section 179 →

IPC 240 to BNS 179 at a Glance

Section 240 IPC (Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit) is now Section 179 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 240 to BNS 179?

Section 240 IPC is merged into Section 179 BNS, which consolidates delivery, sale, purchase, receipt, trafficking, and use of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single section. Section 179 BNS removes the separate Indian coin category and omits the requirement of proving knowledge at the time of initial possession. Section 179 BNS has no separate limb for attempting to induce a person to receive the coin, and it does not require that the act be done fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed. The maximum punishment rises from ten years imprisonment under Section 240 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for up to ten years, under Section 179 BNS, and fine.

IPC 240 vs BNS 179: Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	240	179
Offence	Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.	Imprisonment of either description for up to ten years under Section 240 IPC. Section 179 BNS provides imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.
Fine	The offender shall also be liable to fine.	Liable to fine under Section 240 IPC, and also liable to fine under Section 179 BNS.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Court of Session	Same

IPC 240 and BNS 179: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 240, IPC 1860

240. Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.—Whoever, having any counterfeit coin which is a counterfeit of Indian coin, and which, at the time when he became possessed of it, he knew to be a counterfeit of Indian coin, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, delivers the same to any person, or attempts to induce any person to receive it, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 179, BNS 2023

Whoever imports or exports, or sells or delivers to, or buys or receives from, any other person, or otherwise traffics or uses as genuine, any forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Ingredients: IPC 240 vs BNS 179

Under IPC 240

Having possession of any counterfeit coin that is a counterfeit of Indian coin
Knowing that the coin was a counterfeit of Indian coin at the time when he became possessed of it
Acting fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed
Delivering the coin to any person, or attempting to induce any person to receive it

Under BNS 179

Importing, exporting, selling, delivering, buying, receiving, trafficking, or using as genuine
Any forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note
Knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit
Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine

What IPC 240 to BNS 179 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 240 IPC (now Section 179 BNS): for an act done after the BNS came into force, delivering counterfeit Indian coin is charged under Section 179 BNS, which dispenses with proving knowledge at the exact moment of initial possession and adds imprisonment for life to the maximum penalty options alongside imprisonment for up to ten years and fine.

FAQs: IPC 240 to BNS 179

What changed when Section 240 IPC became Section 179 BNS?▼

Section 179 BNS merges Section 240 IPC into a broader trafficking offence covering coin, Government stamps, and currency. The separate category of Indian coin is omitted, and the prosecution need only show knowledge or reason to believe the coin was counterfeit rather than knowledge at the moment possession began. Imprisonment for life is added to the penalty choices alongside imprisonment for up to ten years, and fine.

Where does Section 240 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 179 BNS, in Chapter X, Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes, and Government Stamps.

Does Section 240 IPC or Section 179 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 240 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 240 IPC. Section 179 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·