Section 234 IPC: Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian coin

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 234 IPC at a Glance

Section 234 IPC deals with making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian coin. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 181 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 181 →

Section 234 IPC Bare Act Text

234. Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian 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 Indian coin, 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 234, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 234 IPC in Simple Words

Section 234 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 Indian 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 seven 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 234 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, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for counterfeiting Indian coin

Punishment Under Section 234 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

The offender shall also be liable to fine.

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

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

Example of Section 234 IPC

In 2018, Deepak operated a metal lathe in Rajkot. At the request of Pranav, Deepak milled and polished the inner face of an iron moulding instrument designed to cast fake Indian ten-rupee coins, and then handed it over for cash. Deepak performed part of the process of making the instrument and disposed of it while knowing that Pranav intended to use it for the purpose of counterfeiting Indian coin. Because the tool was meant specifically for counterfeiting Indian coin, Deepak is punishable under Section 234 IPC.

When Section 234 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 234 IPC does not apply when the die or instrument is meant for counterfeiting foreign coin rather than Indian coin.
  • Section 234 IPC does not apply when the item involved is not a die or an instrument.
  • Section 234 IPC does not apply when the person neither made, mended, nor participated in making or mending the die or instrument, and did not buy, sell, or dispose of it.
  • Section 234 IPC does not apply when the person acted without the purpose of counterfeiting Indian coin and had no knowledge or reason to believe that the die or instrument would be used for that purpose.

Section 234 IPC in the BNS

Section 234 IPC is now covered under Section 181 BNS.

Section 234 IPC is merged into Section 181 BNS, which consolidates tools and materials for counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single offence. The BNS removes the separate category of Indian coin, so all coining instruments are governed by the same rule. Section 181 BNS adds possession, machinery, and materials, and increases the maximum term of imprisonment from seven years under Section 234 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for up to ten years, and fine.

View detailed comparison (IPC 234 vs BNS 181) →

FAQs on Section 234 IPC

What does Section 234 IPC punish?▼

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

What is the punishment under Section 234 IPC?▼

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

How did Section 234 IPC differ from Section 233 IPC?▼

Section 233 IPC applied to any coin and carried imprisonment for up to three years, whereas Section 234 IPC applied to Indian coin and carried imprisonment for up to seven years.

Is Section 234 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 234 IPC?▼

It is triable by the Court of Session.

Can an offence under Section 234 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 234 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 234 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is merged into Section 181 BNS, which eliminates the separate classification of Indian coin.

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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 ·