IPC 489C Is Now BNS 180: Possession of Counterfeit Notes

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	489C	180
Offence	Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.	Same
Fine	The court may impose a fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The statute specifies no upper limit.	Same
Bail	Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Court of Session	Same

IPC 489C and BNS 180: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 489C, IPC 1860

489C. Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes.—Whoever has in his possession any forged or counterfeit currency-note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit and intending to use the same as genuine or that it may be used as genuine, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 180, BNS 2023

Whoever has in his possession any forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be forged or counterfeit and intending to use the same as genuine or that it may be used as genuine, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both. Explanation.—If a person establishes the possession of the forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note to be from a lawful source, it shall not constitute an offence under this section.

Ingredients: IPC 489C vs BNS 180

Under IPC 489C

The accused had in his possession a forged or counterfeit currency-note or bank-note
The accused knew or had reason to believe that the note was forged or counterfeit
The accused intended to use the note as genuine or that it may be used as genuine

Under BNS 180

Having in possession 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
Intending to use the same as genuine or that it may be used as genuine

What IPC 489C to BNS 180 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 489C IPC (now Section 180 BNS): under Section 180 BNS, the offence is extended to coin and Government stamps, and a statutory defence is enacted where the accused establishes that possession was from a lawful source, while the punishment remains imprisonment up to seven years, or fine, or both, so a charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 180 BNS.

FAQs: IPC 489C to BNS 180

What changed regarding Section 489C IPC under the BNS?▼

Section 180 BNS broadens Section 489C IPC to include coin and Government stamps, and adds an Explanation that establishing possession from a lawful source does not constitute an offence. The punishment remains unchanged at imprisonment up to seven years, or fine, or both.

Where does Section 489C IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 180 BNS, in Chapter X, Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes and Government Stamps.

Does Section 489C IPC or Section 180 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 489C 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 489C IPC. Section 180 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 489C to BNS 180: Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes

IPC 489C to BNS 180 at a Glance

What Changed From IPC 489C to BNS 180?

IPC 489C vs BNS 180: Comparison Table

IPC 489C and BNS 180: Bare Act Text Side by Side

Ingredients: IPC 489C vs BNS 180

What IPC 489C to BNS 180 Means for Pending Cases

FAQs: IPC 489C to BNS 180