Section 250 IPC: Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 250 IPC at a Glance
Section 250 IPC deals with delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 179 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.
Section 250 IPC Bare Act Text
250. Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
Whoever, having coin in his possession with respect to which the offence defined in section 246 or 248 has been committed, and having known at the time when he became possessed of such coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, delivers such coin to any other person, or attempts to induce any other person to receive the same, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 250, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 250 IPC in Simple Words
Section 250 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes delivering to another person, or attempting to induce another person to receive, any coin altered in weight, composition, or appearance under Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC, having known at the time of becoming possessed of it that such offence had been committed with respect to it. The delivery or attempt must be made fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to five 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 250 IPC
- The accused was in possession of coin on which the offence in Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC had been committed
- Knowing at the time when he became possessed of the coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it
- Delivering such coin to any other person, or attempting to induce any other person to receive the same
- Acting fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed
Punishment Under Section 250 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Delivering coin possessed with knowledge that it is altered is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to five years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 250 IPC
When Section 250 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 250 IPC does not apply when the coin has not had its weight diminished, its composition altered under Section 246 IPC, or its appearance changed under Section 248 IPC.
- Section 250 IPC does not apply when the holder was unaware of the alteration when first acquiring the coin and discovered the tampering only later.
- Section 250 IPC does not apply when the holder merely retains the altered coin without handing it over to anyone or trying to persuade another person to accept it.
- Section 250 IPC does not apply when the altered coin is handed over openly, such as to police or mint authorities, without any fraudulent purpose or intent that fraud be committed.
Section 250 IPC in the BNS
Section 250 IPC is now covered under Section 179 BNS.
Section 250 IPC penalized delivering coin altered in weight, composition, or appearance, where knowledge of the alteration existed at the time possession was acquired, with imprisonment of either description for up to five years and fine. Section 179 BNS absorbs this offence into a unified provision covering the delivery, sale, trafficking, and uttering of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes. Under Section 179 BNS, the prosecution must prove knowledge or reason to believe the item is counterfeit, without needing to establish that such knowledge existed at the exact moment of acquisition. Section 179 BNS has no separate limb for attempting to induce a person to receive the coin, and it does not require that the act be done fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed. The maximum sentence increases from five years under Section 250 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 250 vs BNS 179) →FAQs on Section 250 IPC
What does Section 250 IPC punish?▼
It punishes fraudulently delivering or attempting to induce receipt of coin altered under Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC, having known of the alteration at the time of becoming possessed of it.
What is the punishment under Section 250 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and fine.
Is knowledge at the time of acquisition required under Section 250 IPC?▼
Yes. The prosecution must prove that the accused knew of the alteration at the very time when he became possessed of the coin.
How is the conduct under Section 250 IPC treated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?▼
Section 179 BNS absorbs this offence into general trafficking and delivery of counterfeit coin, omitting the acquisition-time knowledge test and raising the maximum penalty to imprisonment for life or up to ten years and fine.
Is Section 250 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 250 IPC?▼
It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can Section 250 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 250 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·