Section 245 IPC: Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 245 IPC at a Glance
Section 245 IPC deals with unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 188 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
Section 245 IPC Bare Act Text
245. Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint
Whoever, without lawful authority, takes out of any mint, lawfully established in India, any coining tool or instrument, 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 245, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 245 IPC in Simple Words
Section 245 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes taking any coining tool or instrument out of any mint lawfully established in India without lawful authority. 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 245 IPC
- Taking any coining tool or instrument out of any mint
- The mint was lawfully established in India
- The taking was done without lawful authority
Punishment Under Section 245 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Unlawfully taking a coining tool or instrument out of a mint is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 245 IPC
When Section 245 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 245 IPC does not apply when the object removed from the mint is ordinary office equipment rather than a coining tool or instrument.
- Section 245 IPC does not apply if the coining tool or instrument was taken from a private workshop rather than from a mint lawfully established in India.
- Section 245 IPC does not apply where an official removes a coining instrument from the mint with lawful authority, such as under a valid order for official transfer or destruction.
Section 245 IPC in the BNS
Section 245 IPC is now covered under Section 188 BNS.
Section 188 BNS replaces Section 245 IPC with identical wording and statutory penalties. Both provisions penalize anyone who takes any coining tool or instrument out of a lawfully established mint in India without lawful authority. The maximum penalty remains imprisonment of either description for up to seven years along with fine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 245 vs BNS 188) →FAQs on Section 245 IPC
What does Section 245 IPC punish?▼
It punishes taking any coining tool or instrument out of a mint lawfully established in India without lawful authority.
What is the punishment under Section 245 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and fine.
Does Section 245 IPC apply only to mint employees?▼
No. The section applies to anyone who takes a coining tool or instrument out of the mint without lawful authority.
Is Section 245 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 245 IPC?▼
It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can Section 245 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 245 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
Where is Section 245 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
It corresponds to Section 188 BNS with identical wording and punishment.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·