Section 251 IPC: Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 251 IPC at a Glance
Section 251 IPC deals with delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 179 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
Section 251 IPC Bare Act Text
251. Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
Whoever, having coin in his possession with respect to which the offence defined in section 247 or 249 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 ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 251, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 251 IPC in Simple Words
Section 251 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes delivering to another person, or attempting to induce another person to receive, any Indian coin altered in weight, composition, or appearance under Section 247 IPC or Section 249 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 ten 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 251 IPC
- The accused was in possession of coin on which the offence in Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC had been committed
- The coin was an Indian coin as defined in Section 230 IPC
- 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 251 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Delivering Indian coin possessed with knowledge that it is altered is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 251 IPC
When Section 251 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 251 IPC does not apply when the altered coin is foreign currency rather than an Indian coin.
- Section 251 IPC does not apply when no offence under Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC has been committed on the Indian coin.
- Section 251 IPC does not apply when the person received the Indian coin in good faith and learned of the alteration only after taking possession.
- Section 251 IPC does not apply when the person neither hands the altered Indian coin to anyone else nor tries to persuade another person to accept it, or acts without any fraudulent intent.
Section 251 IPC in the BNS
Section 251 IPC is now covered under Section 179 BNS.
Section 251 IPC punished fraudulently delivering altered Indian coin, where knowledge of the alteration existed upon initial acquisition, with imprisonment of either description for up to ten years and fine. Section 179 BNS consolidates all delivery and uttering offences across counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single provision, discarding the separate Indian coin classification. Section 179 BNS replaces the acquisition-time knowledge test with a broader inquiry into whether the accused knew or had reason to believe the item was counterfeit. It has no separate limb for attempting to induce a person to receive the coin, does not require that the act be done fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, and adds imprisonment for life to the maximum penalty alongside imprisonment for up to ten years and fine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 251 vs BNS 179) →FAQs on Section 251 IPC
What does Section 251 IPC punish?▼
It punishes fraudulently delivering or attempting to induce receipt of Indian coin altered under Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC, having known of the alteration at the time of becoming possessed of it.
What is the punishment under Section 251 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and fine.
How did Section 251 IPC differ from Section 250 IPC?▼
Section 250 IPC applied to any altered coin with up to five years imprisonment, whereas Section 251 IPC applied specifically to altered Indian coin with up to ten years imprisonment.
How is the conduct under Section 251 IPC treated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?▼
Section 179 BNS absorbs this offence into general trafficking and delivery of counterfeit coin, omitting the separate Indian coin category and adding imprisonment for life to the ten-year penalty option.
Is Section 251 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 251 IPC?▼
It is triable by the Court of Session.
Can Section 251 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 251 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 ·