Section 252 IPC: Possession of coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 252 IPC at a Glance
Section 252 IPC deals with possession of coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 180 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.
Section 252 IPC Bare Act Text
252. Possession of coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof
Whoever, fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, is in possession of coin with respect to which the offence defined in either of the section 246 or 248 has been committed, having known at the time of becoming possessed thereof that such offence had been committed with respect to such coin, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 252, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 252 IPC in Simple Words
Section 252 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes being in possession of 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 possession must be fraudulent or with intent that fraud may be committed.
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for up to three 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 252 IPC
- The accused was in possession of coin with respect to which the offence defined in Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC had been committed
- The accused knew at the time of becoming possessed of such coin that such offence had been committed with respect to it
- The possession was fraudulent or with intent that fraud may be committed
Punishment Under Section 252 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Possessing coin known to be altered when it was obtained is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 252 IPC
When Section 252 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 252 IPC does not apply when the coins in a person's custody have not been subjected to an offence under Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC.
- Section 252 IPC does not apply when the custodian was ignorant of the tampering at the time of receiving the coins and discovered it only afterwards.
- Section 252 IPC does not apply when the custodian holds the altered coins without any fraudulent purpose or intention of committing fraud, such as keeping them solely as evidence for law enforcement.
Section 252 IPC in the BNS
Section 252 IPC is now covered under Section 180 BNS.
Section 252 IPC punished being in fraudulent possession of altered coin, having known of the alteration at the time of acquisition, with imprisonment of either description for up to three years and fine. Section 180 BNS consolidates possession of counterfeit coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single offence. An altered coin falls under Section 180 BNS because clause five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS makes alteration counterfeiting. Section 180 BNS requires an intention to use the item as genuine or that it may be used as genuine, replacing the fraudulent intent required by Section 252 IPC. Furthermore, Section 180 BNS omits the requirement that knowledge exist at the time possession was acquired, and its Explanation provides that establishing possession from a lawful source does not constitute an offence. The maximum imprisonment increases from three years to seven years, and the court may now impose fine alone, in place of imprisonment.
View detailed comparison (IPC 252 vs BNS 180) →FAQs on Section 252 IPC
What does Section 252 IPC punish?▼
It punishes being in fraudulent possession of coin altered under Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC, having known of the alteration at the time when possession was acquired.
What is the punishment under Section 252 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and liability to fine.
Must knowledge exist at the time possession was acquired under Section 252 IPC?▼
Yes. The prosecution must prove that the accused knew at the very time of becoming possessed of the coin that an offence under Section 246 IPC or Section 248 IPC had been committed with respect to it.
How is the offence under Section 252 IPC dealt with under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?▼
Section 180 BNS consolidates possession of counterfeit coin, stamps, and currency. Altered coin falls under this provision through clause five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS. The maximum imprisonment is raised to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
Is Section 252 IPC bailable?▼
No. The offence is non-bailable and cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Which court tries Section 252 IPC?▼
It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can an offence under Section 252 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 252 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 ·