Section 244 IPC: Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 244 IPC at a Glance

Section 244 IPC 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; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 187 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 187 →

Section 244 IPC Bare Act Text

244. 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 244, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 244 IPC in Simple Words

Section 244 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person employed in a lawfully established mint in India who does any act or omits a legal duty with the intention of causing coin issued from that mint to be of a different weight or composition from that fixed by law.

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 a Magistrate of the first class.

Ingredients of Section 244 IPC

  • The accused was employed in a mint lawfully established in India
  • Doing any act or omitting what he is legally bound to do
  • The act or omission was done with the intention of causing coin issued from that mint to be of a different weight or composition from the weight or composition fixed by law

Punishment Under Section 244 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 ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

A person employed in a mint causing coin to be of a different weight or composition from that fixed by law is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 244 IPC

In 2017, Sridhar, a machine operator employed in a mint lawfully established in India at Hyderabad, deliberately altered the calibration of a blank-cutting press during his duty hours. He performed that act with the intention of causing the twenty-rupee coins issued from that mint to have a lighter weight than the standard weight fixed by law, so that he could pilfer the leftover metal strips. Because Sridhar was employed in a lawfully established Indian mint and acted with the intention of altering the legal weight of coins issued from it, Sridhar is punishable under Section 244 IPC.

When Section 244 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 244 IPC does not apply when the person who performs the act or omission is not employed in a mint lawfully established in India.
  • Section 244 IPC does not apply if the mint worker neither performs any act nor fails to perform a duty that he is legally bound to carry out.
  • Section 244 IPC does not apply where a deviation in coin weight or composition results from an accidental machine fault without any intention on the employee's part to cause coins issued from the mint to differ from the legal standard.

Section 244 IPC in the BNS

Section 244 IPC is now covered under Section 187 BNS.

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 detailed comparison (IPC 244 vs BNS 187) →

FAQs on Section 244 IPC

What does Section 244 IPC punish?▼

It punishes a person employed in a lawfully established mint in India who intentionally does an act or omits a legal duty causing issued coin to differ in weight or composition from that fixed by law.

What is the punishment under Section 244 IPC?▼

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

Does Section 244 IPC apply to outsiders who do not work in a mint?▼

No. The section applies only to a person employed in a mint lawfully established in India.

Is Section 244 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 244 IPC?▼

It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can Section 244 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 244 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Where is Section 244 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It corresponds to Section 187 BNS with identical wording and punishment.

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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 ·