Section 232 IPC: Counterfeiting Indian coin
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 232 IPC at a Glance
Section 232 IPC deals with counterfeiting Indian coin. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 178 BNS.
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
Section 232 IPC Bare Act Text
232. Counterfeiting Indian coin
Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting Indian coin, 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.
Source: Section 232, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 232 IPC in Simple Words
Section 232 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes counterfeiting Indian coin or knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting Indian coin.
The punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.
Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session.
Ingredients of Section 232 IPC
- The coin is Indian coin within the definition in Section 230 IPC
- Counterfeiting such Indian coin
- Knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting such Indian coin
Punishment Under Section 232 IPC
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Counterfeiting Indian coin is punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 232 IPC
When Section 232 IPC Does Not Apply
- The coin being counterfeited is a foreign currency coin rather than Indian coin stamped and issued by the authority of the Government of India.
- The object produced is a decorative token or medallion that does not imitate any Indian coin.
- The person handled tools or metal without knowing that he was performing a part of the process of counterfeiting Indian coin.
Section 232 IPC in the BNS
Section 232 IPC is now covered under Section 178 BNS.
Section 232 IPC is consolidated into Section 178 BNS. The BNS removes the separate category of Indian coin, merging counterfeiting of all coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single offence. The punishment remains imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 232 vs BNS 178) →FAQs on Section 232 IPC
What does Section 232 IPC punish?▼
It punishes counterfeiting Indian coin or knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting Indian coin.
What is the punishment under Section 232 IPC?▼
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and fine.
How did Section 232 IPC differ from Section 231 IPC?▼
Section 231 IPC applied to any coin and carried imprisonment for up to seven years, whereas Section 232 IPC applied specifically to Indian coin and carried imprisonment for life or up to ten years.
Is Section 232 IPC bailable?▼
No. The offence is non-bailable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Which court tries an offence under Section 232 IPC?▼
It is triable by the Court of Session.
Can an offence under Section 232 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 232 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 232 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It is merged into Section 178 BNS, which eliminates the separate classification of Indian coin.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·