IPC 251→BNS 179

IPC 251 to BNS 179: Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered

Section 251 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 179 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 251 →View BNS Section 179 →

IPC 251 to BNS 179 at a Glance

Section 251 IPC (Delivery of Indian 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 251 to BNS 179?

Section 251 IPC punished fraudulently delivering altered Indian coin, where knowledge of the alteration existed upon initial acquisition, with imprisonment of either description for up to ten years and fine. Section 179 BNS consolidates all delivery and uttering offences across counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single provision, discarding the separate Indian coin classification. Section 179 BNS replaces the acquisition-time knowledge test with a broader inquiry into whether the accused knew or had reason to believe the item was counterfeit. It has no separate limb for attempting to induce a person to receive the coin, does not require that the act be done fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, and adds imprisonment for life to the maximum penalty alongside imprisonment for up to ten years and fine.

IPC 251 vs BNS 179: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section251179
OffenceDelivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is alteredSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.Imprisonment of either description for up to ten years under Section 251 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 251 IPC. Under Section 179 BNS, imprisonment must be imposed and the offender is also liable to fine.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 251 and BNS 179: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 251, IPC 1860

251. Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered.—Whoever, having coin in his possession with respect to which the offence defined in section 247 or 249 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 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 251 vs BNS 179

Under IPC 251
  1. The accused was in possession of coin on which the offence in Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC had been committed
  2. The coin was an Indian coin as defined in Section 230 IPC
  3. Knowing at the time when he became possessed of the coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it
  4. Delivering such coin to any other person, or attempting to induce any other person to receive the same
  5. 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 251 to BNS 179 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 251 IPC (now Section 179 BNS): for an act committed after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 came into force, delivering altered Indian coin is charged under Section 179 BNS, which eliminates the requirement of proving acquisition-time knowledge and adds imprisonment for life to the ten-year maximum penalty.

FAQs: IPC 251 to BNS 179

What changed when Section 251 IPC became Section 179 BNS?▼

Section 251 IPC is absorbed into Section 179 BNS, which unifies delivery and uttering across counterfeit coin, Government stamps, and currency. Section 179 BNS omits the separate classification of Indian coin and drops the requirement to prove knowledge at the exact moment of acquisition. It also adds imprisonment for life to the maximum penalty alongside imprisonment for up to ten years, and fine.

Where does Section 251 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 251 IPC or Section 179 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 251 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 251 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 ·