Section 187 BNS: Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 187 BNS at a Glance
Section 187 BNS deals with person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; it replaced Section 244 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years under Section 187 BNS.
Section 187 BNS Bare Act Text
187. Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law
Whoever, being employed in any mint lawfully established in India, does any act, or omits what he is legally bound to do, with the intention of causing any coin issued from that mint to be of a different weight or composition from the weight or composition fixed by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 187, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 187 BNS in Simple Words
Section 187 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with a very specific duty breach by a person employed in a mint. If such a person knowingly causes coin to be made with a weight or composition different from what the law requires, they commit an offence under this section. The focus is on tampering with the standard of coinage, which directly affects public trust in money and the integrity of the currency system. This section applies only to persons working in a mint, such as officials or workers who are entrusted with making coins.
The law is aimed at intentional misconduct, not a mere accident or minor manufacturing error. If the change in weight or metal composition is done deliberately, the offence is made out. In practical terms, this provision protects the economy from fraud at the source, because even a small deviation in coin standards can lead to circulation of defective or manipulated currency.
Ingredients of Section 187 BNS
- Employment in any mint lawfully established in India
- Doing any act or omitting what the employee is legally bound to do
- Intention of causing any coin issued from that mint to be of a different weight or composition from the weight or composition fixed by law
- Punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and liability to fine
Punishment Under Section 187 BNS
Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years under Section 187 BNS.
Under Section 187 BNS, imprisonment must be imposed and the offender is also liable to fine.
Section 187 BNS punishes a mint employee causing coin to deviate from legal weight or composition with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and liability to fine.
Example of Section 187 BNS
When Section 187 BNS Does Not Apply
- The person was not employed in any mint lawfully established in India
- The person did not do any act or omit what he was legally bound to do
- There was no intention of causing any coin issued from the mint to be of a different weight or composition from that fixed by law
Section 187 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 187 BNS replaces Section 244 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 187 BNS replaces Section 244 IPC with identical wording and penalties. Both sections punish an employee in a lawfully established mint who intentionally acts or omits what he is legally bound to do to cause issued coin to differ in weight or composition from that fixed by law. The maximum punishment remains imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and fine.
View IPC Section 244 →FAQs on Section 187 BNS
Who can be punished under Section 187 BNS?▼
Only a person employed in a mint lawfully established in India can be prosecuted under this provision. The section does not apply to ordinary citizens or traders unless they are actually employed in the mint and involved in the unlawful act or omission.
Does a mistake in coin making attract Section 187 BNS?▼
Not by itself. The law targets deliberate conduct, so there must be proof that the employee acted, or omitted what he was legally bound to do, with the intention of causing coin issued from the mint to differ in weight or composition from the standard fixed by law.
What is the punishment under Section 187 BNS?▼
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to 7 years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The exact sentence depends on the facts, the role of the accused, and the seriousness of the breach.
Is Section 187 BNS in force under the BNS?▼
Yes. Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 is the current law in force and applies to intentional tampering with the weight or composition of coins by employees in any mint lawfully established in India.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·