Section 182 BNS: Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 182 BNS at a Glance

Section 182 BNS deals with making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes. It replaced Section 489E IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

None. The section provides only fine.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ
IPC Equivalent

Section 489E →

Section 182 BNS Bare Act Text

(1) Whoever makes, or causes to be made, or uses for any purpose whatsoever, or delivers to any person, any document purporting to be, or in any way resembling, or so nearly resembling as to be calculated to deceive, any currency-note or bank-note shall be punished with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.

(2) If any person, whose name appears on a document the making of which is an offence under sub-section (1), refuses, without lawful excuse, to disclose to a police officer on being so required the name and address of the person by whom it was printed or otherwise made, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to six hundred rupees.

(3) Where the name of any person appears on any document in respect of which any person is charged with an offence under sub-section (1) or on any other document used or distributed in connection with that document it may, until the contrary is proved, be presumed that the person caused the document to be made.

Source: Section 182, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 182 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 182 BNS replaced Section 489E IPC from 1 July 2024.

Each sub-section below names its own source.

FAQs on Section 182 BNS

What does Section 182 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cover?▼

Section 182 BNS covers making, causing to be made, using, or delivering any document that purports to be, resembles, or so nearly resembles a currency-note or bank-note that it is calculated to deceive. It is aimed at documents that look like notes, even if they are not real money.

What has to be proved for action under Section 182 BNS?▼

The text requires that the document purports to be, resembles, or so nearly resembles a currency-note or bank-note as to be calculated to deceive. It also covers different acts like making it, getting it made, using it for any purpose, or delivering it to someone.

Is Section 182 BNS bailable?▼

Yes. This is a bailable offence, which means bail can be claimed as a matter of right. The accused is normally released on furnishing bail, subject to the usual conditions the court or police may impose.

What is the punishment under Section 182 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Under sub-section (1), the punishment is fine which may extend to three hundred rupees. Under sub-section (2), if a person whose name appears on such a document refuses without lawful excuse to disclose to a police officer who printed or made it, the punishment is fine which may extend to six hundred rupees.

If my name is printed on a fake note-like document, can I be blamed under Section 182 BNS?▼

Yes, the section allows a presumption against you in some situations. If your name appears on the document, or on another document used or distributed in connection with it, it may be presumed that you caused it to be made unless the contrary is proved.

What does Section 182(2) of the BNS punish?▼

Section 182(2) BNS punishes a person whose name appears on a document resembling a currency-note or bank-note, if that person refuses without lawful excuse to tell a police officer, when required, the name and address of the person who printed or made it. The section is about refusing to disclose the printer or maker's details. The fine may extend to six hundred rupees.

What has to be shown for action under Section 182(2) BNS?▼

The text requires that the person's name appears on a document whose making is an offence under Section 182(1) BNS. It must also be shown that a police officer required that person to disclose the name and address of the printer or maker, and the person refused without lawful excuse. These are the key points stated in the provision.

What is the punishment under Section 182(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?▼

The punishment under Section 182(2) BNS is fine which may extend to six hundred rupees. The bare text does not add any imprisonment for this sub-section. It specifically deals with refusal to disclose the printer or maker's name and address.

How is Section 182(2) different from Section 182(1) BNS?▼

Section 182(1) BNS deals with making, causing to be made, using, or delivering a document that purports to be, resembles, or nearly resembles a currency-note or bank-note so as to deceive. Section 182(2) BNS is narrower: it applies when a person whose name appears on such a document refuses, without lawful excuse, to disclose to a police officer who printed or made it. The fines mentioned are also different in the text.

What does Section 182(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita mean if my name is printed on a fake note-like document?▼

It means the court may presume that you caused that document to be made, unless the contrary is proved. This applies where your name appears on the document connected to a charge under Section 182(1), or on another document used or distributed in connection with it.

Under Section 182(3) BNS, can I be blamed just because my name appears on a pamphlet or paper that looks like a currency note?▼

Yes, Section 182(3) allows a presumption against you based on your name appearing on the document. But it is not final, because the section itself says this presumption applies only until the contrary is proved.

What has to be shown for the presumption under Section 182(3) BNS to apply?▼

The name of a person must appear on a document linked to an offence under Section 182(1), or on another document used or distributed in connection with that document. If that link is shown, the law permits a presumption that the person caused the document to be made, unless proved otherwise.

What should I do if I am accused under Section 182(3) BNS because my name is on the document?▼

You should focus on showing why the document was not caused to be made by you, because the section allows that presumption to be rebutted. Keep any material that shows who actually printed or made it, and get legal advice quickly on how to present that defence.

Section 182 BNS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 182(1) BNS: Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes

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Bare Act Text

(1) Whoever makes, or causes to be made, or uses for any purpose whatsoever, or delivers to any person, any document purporting to be, or in any way resembling, or so nearly resembling as to be calculated to deceive, any currency-note or bank-note shall be punished with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 182 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) upper limit of fine is increased from one hundred to three hundred rupees and two hundred to six hundred rupees.

Key Ingredients

  • Making, causing to be made, using for any purpose whatsoever, or delivering any document purporting to be or resembling any currency-note or bank-note
  • Refusing without lawful excuse to disclose to a police officer the name and address of the printer of such resembling document
  • Statutory presumption that a person whose name appears on the document caused the document to be made until the contrary is proved

Punishment

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

🔒 None. The section provides only fine.

💰 Fine which may extend to three hundred rupees for making, using, or delivering resembling documents, and fine which may extend to six hundred rupees for refusal without lawful excuse to disclose the printer.

Making, using, or delivering a document resembling a currency-note or bank-note carries fine up to three hundred rupees, while refusing to disclose the printer carries fine up to six hundred rupees. The offences are non-cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Real-World Example

To advertise a new electronics store in Ranchi, Shalini has five thousand circulars printed that closely resemble five hundred rupee currency-notes and carry her name as the store owner, and she hands them out in local shopping arcades. A police officer asks her for the name and address of the press that printed them, and she refuses without any lawful excuse. Shalini has caused documents resembling currency-notes to be made and has delivered them, and as a person whose name appears on them she has refused to disclose the printer. She is punishable under sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 182 BNS.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The document neither purports to be nor in any manner resembles a currency-note or bank-note
  • The person whose name appears on the resembling document promptly discloses the name and address of the printer or maker upon lawful requirement by a police officer
  • The person whose name appears on the document has a lawful excuse for refusing or being unable to disclose the identity of the printer

Previous Law

IPC 489E → Section 182(1) BNS

Section 489E IPC corresponds to Section 182(1) BNS. Section 182(1) BNS raises the maximum fine for making, using, or delivering documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes from one hundred rupees to three hundred rupees, and raises the fine for refusing to disclose the printer from two hundred rupees to six hundred rupees. The statutory presumption regarding persons named on such documents is preserved without change.

Section 182(2) BNS: Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes

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Bare Act Text

(2) If any person, whose name appears on a document the making of which is an offence under sub-section (1), refuses, without lawful excuse, to disclose to a police officer on being so required the name and address of the person by whom it was printed or otherwise made, he shall be punished with fine which may extend to six hundred rupees.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 182(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) punishes the refusal to help identify who printed or made a document that unlawfully resembles a currency-note or bank-note. It applies specifically to any person whose name appears on a document the making of which is an offence under Section 182(1) BNS, meaning a document that purports to be, or resembles so nearly as to be calculated to deceive, a currency-note or bank-note.

When a police officer requires such a named person to disclose the name and address of the person by whom the document was printed or otherwise made, the person must provide those details unless they have a lawful excuse. If the person refuses without a lawful excuse, they shall be punished with a fine which may extend to six hundred rupees, and no imprisonment is prescribed by this sub-section.

Two points are important for readers. First, liability under Section 182(2) BNS arises only when the person's name appears on the offending document and a police officer specifically requires the printer's or maker's name and address. Second, the refusal must be without lawful excuse, so a genuine lawful justification prevents conviction under this provision.

Key Ingredients

  • The document purported to be a currency-note or bank-note, or resembled one
  • The resemblance was such, or so nearly such, as to be calculated to deceive, making its creation an offence under Section 182(1) BNS
  • The person's name appeared on that document
  • A police officer required that person to disclose the name and address of the person by whom the document was printed or otherwise made
  • That person refused, without lawful excuse, to disclose the printer's or maker's name and address

Punishment

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 The offender shall be punished with a fine of up to six hundred rupees.

A person whose name appears on a document unlawfully resembling a currency-note or bank-note and who refuses without lawful excuse to disclose the printer's or maker's name and address to a police officer is punishable with a fine of up to six hundred rupees.

Real-World Example

Outside Varanasi Cantt railway station, handbills for a local event were being circulated in a size, colour and layout closely resembling a bank-note, with only minor changes in wording. Sunita noticed Shalini distributing them, and Kavita used the same handbills to draw attention at nearby shops. The police later saw Shalini’s printing name on the handbill and required her to disclose the name and address of the person who had printed or otherwise made it. She refused without any lawful excuse. This falls within Section 182(2) BNS because her name appeared on a document resembling a bank-note, and she refused to give the printer’s details.

When This Does Not Apply

  • A plain advertisement or coupon that does not purport to be, and does not resemble, a currency-note or bank-note so as to deceive
  • A person whose name does not appear on the document refuses to answer questions about who printed it
  • A person gives the printer's name and address when required by a police-officer, so there is no refusal
  • A person refuses to disclose the printer's details but has a lawful excuse
  • A document merely carries a money-related theme or picture, but is not so nearly resembling a currency-note or bank-note as to be calculated to deceive

Previous Law

IPC 489E(2) → Section 182(2) BNS

The substance of Section 489E(2) IPC and Section 182(2) BNS is the same: it still punishes a person whose name appears on the document for refusing, without lawful excuse, to tell a police officer who printed or made it. The visible change is only in the fine, which has been increased from up to two hundred rupees under Section 489E(2) IPC to up to six hundred rupees under Section 182(2) BNS.

Section 182(3) BNS: Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes

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Bare Act Text

(3) Where the name of any person appears on any document in respect of which any person is charged with an offence under sub-section (1) or on any other document used or distributed in connection with that document it may, until the contrary is proved, be presumed that the person caused the document to be made.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 182(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) lays down an evidentiary rule of presumption for cases involving documents that unlawfully resemble currency-notes or bank-notes. It applies to any person whose name appears on a document in respect of which someone is charged with an offence under Section 182(1) BNS, or on any other document that is used or distributed in connection with that offending document.

When a person's name appears on either the offending document itself or a connected document used or distributed with it, the court may presume that the named person caused the document to be made. Because this sub-section only establishes a rule of evidence to assist in proving who caused the document to be made under Section 182(1) BNS, it prescribes no punishment itself.

Two points are particularly important for a reader. First, the presumption is not limited to names printed on the fake note-like document itself, as it also reaches names on wrappers, handbills, or other papers distributed with it. Second, the presumption operates only until the contrary is proved, so the named person can rebut it by showing that they did not cause the document to be made.

Key Ingredients

  • A person is charged with an offence under Section 182(1) BNS in respect of a document
  • The document purported to be a currency-note or bank-note, or resembled one
  • The resemblance was such, or so nearly such, as to be calculated to deceive
  • The person's name appeared on that document or on another document used or distributed in connection with it
  • Until the contrary is proved, that appearance of the name permits a presumption that the person caused the document to be made

Punishment

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 None prescribed by this sub-section.

Section 182(3) BNS allows a rebuttable presumption that a person whose name appears on an offending note-like document, or on a document used or distributed with it, caused it to be made, and it prescribes no punishment itself.

Real-World Example

Outside Bhopal Junction, discount coupons for a local music event were printed to look almost exactly like Rs. 500 notes, with similar size, colour and overall layout. Divya got these coupons printed, Nisha handed some to passers-by for promotion, and Prakash later used one in a street prank video. Divya’s name and phone number were printed on the back of the coupon bundle. In a charge under Section 182(1) BNS regarding the coupons, because Divya’s name appears on the bundle distributed in connection with them, Section 182(3) BNS allows a presumption, until the contrary is proved, that she caused the coupons to be made.

When This Does Not Apply

  • A plain paper token or coupon that does not purport to be, and does not resemble, any currency-note or bank-note
  • A design or print that is clearly different and not so nearly resembling a currency-note or bank-note as to be calculated to deceive
  • A person is named on the document, but proves that he did not cause it to be made
  • The person's name does not appear on the document or on any other document used or distributed in connection with it

Previous Law

IPC 489E(3) → Section 182(3) BNS

No material change is visible between Section 489E(3) IPC and Section 182(3) BNS. The presumption is the same: if a person’s name appears on the document in question, or on another document used or distributed with it, it may be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the person caused the document to be made.

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