Section 180 BNS: Possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or banknotes

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 180 BNS at a Glance

Section 180 BNS deals with possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or banknotes. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; it replaced Section 489C IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 489C →

Section 180 BNS Bare Act Text

180. Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes

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.

Source: Section 180, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 180 BNS in Simple Words

Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) punishes possessing any forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note when the person knows or has reason to believe it is forged or counterfeit and intends to use it as genuine or that it may be used as genuine.

The offence is punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Under the Explanation, if a person establishes that possession of the item was from a lawful source, it does not constitute an offence under this section.

Ingredients of Section 180 BNS

  • 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

Punishment Under Section 180 BNS

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Fine

The court may impose a fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The statute specifies no upper limit.

Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes, with knowledge and intent to use as genuine, carries imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 180 BNS

At a mobile phone repair shop in Jodhpur, Anil keeps twelve counterfeit two hundred rupee notes concealed in a drawer separate from his daily cash collections. When questioned during a search, Anil admits that he knew the notes were counterfeit and intended to slip them into change given to customers over the coming days. Anil had counterfeit notes in his possession, knew them to be counterfeit, and intended to use them as genuine. Anil is punishable under Section 180 BNS.

When Section 180 BNS Does Not Apply

  • The coin, stamp, currency-note, or bank-note in possession is genuine and not forged or counterfeit
  • The accused had no knowledge or reason to believe that the item was forged or counterfeit
  • The accused did not intend to use the item as genuine, or that it may be used as genuine
  • The accused establishes that the possession of the forged or counterfeit item was from a lawful source

Section 180 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 180 BNS replaces Section 489C IPC from the old criminal code.

Section 489C IPC corresponds to Section 180 BNS. Section 180 BNS extends coverage to coin and Government stamps alongside currency-notes and bank-notes, and adds an Explanation that establishing possession from a lawful source is not an offence under the section. The punishment is unchanged.

View IPC Section 489C →

FAQs on Section 180 BNS

What does Section 180 of the BNS punish?▼

Section 180 BNS punishes possessing a forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note. The person must know or have reason to believe it is forged or counterfeit, and must intend to use it as genuine or let it be used as genuine.

What does the police have to prove under Section 180 BNS?▼

They must prove possession of the forged or counterfeit item. They must also show that the person knew or had reason to believe it was forged or counterfeit, and intended to use it as genuine or that it may be used as genuine.

Is Section 180 BNS bailable?▼

No. This is a non-bailable offence, so bail is not a matter of right. The accused must apply to the court, which decides in light of the facts, the seriousness of the allegations, and other relevant circumstances.

What is the punishment under Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

The punishment under Section 180 BNS may extend to seven years' imprisonment, or fine, or both. The exact sentence depends on the facts proved in the case.

If fake notes or stamps are found with me, am I automatically guilty under Section 180 BNS?▼

No, mere possession alone is not enough under the text of Section 180 BNS. There must also be knowledge or reason to believe the item is forged or counterfeit and an intention to use it as genuine or allow it to be used as genuine, and it is not an offence if possession is established to be from a lawful source.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·