Section 233 IPC: Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 233 IPC at a Glance

Section 233 IPC deals with making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 181 BNS.

Punishment

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

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 181 →

Section 233 IPC Bare Act Text

233. Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin

Whoever makes or mends, or performs any part of the process of making or mending, or buys, sells or disposes of, any die or instrument, for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for the purpose of counterfeiting coin, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 233, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 233 IPC in Simple Words

Section 233 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes making, mending, performing any part of the process of making or mending, buying, selling, or disposing of any die or instrument for counterfeiting coin. It applies where the act is done for that purpose, or with knowledge or reason to believe that the die or instrument is intended to be so used.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three years, and fine. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Ingredients of Section 233 IPC

  • Making, mending, or performing any part of the process of making or mending any die or instrument
  • Buying, selling, or disposing of any die or instrument
  • Doing so for the purpose of being used for counterfeiting coin, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used for the purpose of counterfeiting coin

Punishment Under Section 233 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

The offender shall also be liable to fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Making or selling an instrument for counterfeiting coin is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 233 IPC

In 2019, Harish ran a small metalworking shop in Coimbatore. Knowing that his acquaintance Vikram planned to produce fake foreign silver coins, Harish repaired a cracked brass stamping instrument and sold it to Vikram so that Vikram could use the instrument for counterfeiting coin. Harish both mended and sold an instrument while knowing that it was intended to be used for the purpose of counterfeiting coin. Even before any fake coin was actually struck with that repaired tool, the offence was complete. Harish is punishable under Section 233 IPC.

When Section 233 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 233 IPC does not apply when the object involved is raw unworked material rather than a die or an instrument.
  • Section 233 IPC does not apply when the accused neither made, mended, nor took part in making or mending the die or instrument, and did not buy, sell, or dispose of it.
  • Section 233 IPC does not apply when the person acted without the purpose of counterfeiting coin and had neither knowledge nor reason to believe that the tool would be used to counterfeit coin.
  • Section 233 IPC does not apply when the die or instrument was intended only to make decorative tokens or medals rather than counterfeit coin.

Section 233 IPC in the BNS

Section 233 IPC is now covered under Section 181 BNS.

Section 233 IPC is merged into Section 181 BNS, which consolidates making, mending, buying, selling, disposing of, or possessing machinery, dies, instruments, or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes. Section 181 BNS adds possession, machinery, and materials to the text. The maximum imprisonment increases substantially from three years under Section 233 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for up to ten years, under Section 181 BNS, and fine.

View detailed comparison (IPC 233 vs BNS 181) →

FAQs on Section 233 IPC

What does Section 233 IPC punish?▼

It punishes making, mending, buying, selling, or disposing of any die or instrument for the purpose of counterfeiting coin, or knowing or having reason to believe it is intended to be so used.

What is the punishment under Section 233 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and fine.

Does Section 233 IPC require that counterfeit coin was actually made?▼

No. The offence is complete when the die or instrument is made, mended, bought, sold, or disposed of with the requisite purpose or knowledge.

Is Section 233 IPC bailable?▼

No. The offence is non-bailable and cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Which court tries an offence under Section 233 IPC?▼

It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 233 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 233 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 233 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is consolidated into Section 181 BNS, which covers instruments and materials for coin, stamps, and currency.

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

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·