IPC 250→BNS 179

IPC 250 to BNS 179: Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered

Section 250 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 179 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 250 →View BNS Section 179 →

IPC 250 to BNS 179 at a Glance

Section 250 IPC (Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered) 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 250 to BNS 179?

Section 250 IPC penalized delivering coin altered in weight, composition, or appearance, where knowledge of the alteration existed at the time possession was acquired, with imprisonment of either description for up to five years and fine. Section 179 BNS absorbs this offence into a unified provision covering the delivery, sale, trafficking, and uttering of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes. Under Section 179 BNS, the prosecution must prove knowledge or reason to believe the item is counterfeit, without needing to establish that such knowledge existed at the exact moment of acquisition. 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 sentence increases from five years under Section 250 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

IPC 250 vs BNS 179: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section250179
OffenceDelivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is alteredSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.Imprisonment of either description for up to five years under Section 250 IPC. Section 179 BNS provides imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.
FineThe offender shall also be liable to fine.Liable to fine under Section 250 IPC. Under Section 179 BNS, imprisonment must be imposed and the offender is also liable to fine.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 250 and BNS 179: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 250, IPC 1860

250. Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered.—Whoever, having coin in his possession with respect to which the offence defined in section 246 or 248 has been committed, and having known at the time when he became possessed of such coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, delivers such coin to any other person, or attempts to induce any other person to receive the same, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five 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 250 vs BNS 179

Under IPC 250
  1. The accused was in possession of coin on which the offence in Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC had been committed
  2. Knowing at the time when he became possessed of the coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it
  3. Delivering such coin to any other person, or attempting to induce any other person to receive the same
  4. Acting fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed
Under BNS 179
  1. Importing, exporting, selling, delivering, buying, receiving, trafficking, or using as genuine
  2. Any forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note, including a coin whose weight, composition or appearance has been altered, which clause (5) of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS treats as counterfeiting
  3. Knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit
  4. Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine

What IPC 250 to BNS 179 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 250 IPC (now Section 179 BNS): for an act committed after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 came into force, delivering altered coin is charged under Section 179 BNS, which eliminates the requirement of proving acquisition-time knowledge and increases the maximum term of imprisonment from five years to life or ten years.

FAQs: IPC 250 to BNS 179

What changed when Section 250 IPC became Section 179 BNS?▼

Section 250 IPC is absorbed into Section 179 BNS, which consolidates delivery, sale, and use of counterfeit coin, Government stamps, and currency. Section 179 BNS drops the requirement of proving knowledge at the moment possession was acquired, asking instead whether the person knew or had reason to believe the item was counterfeit. The maximum punishment rises from five years imprisonment under the IPC to imprisonment for life or up to ten years under the BNS, and fine.

Where does Section 250 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 250 IPC or Section 179 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 250 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 250 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 ·