Section 253 IPC: Possession of Indian coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 253 IPC at a Glance
Section 253 IPC deals with possession of Indian 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 five years.
Section 253 IPC Bare Act Text
253. Possession of Indian 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 247 or 249 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 five years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 253, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 253 IPC in Simple Words
Section 253 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes being in possession of 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 possession must be fraudulent 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 253 IPC
- The accused was in possession of coin with respect to which the offence defined in Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC had been committed
- The coin was Indian coin
- 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 253 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years.
The offender shall also be liable to fine.
Possessing Indian coin known to be altered when it was obtained is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to five years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 253 IPC
When Section 253 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 253 IPC does not apply when the altered coins held by the person are foreign coins rather than Indian coins.
- Section 253 IPC does not apply when no offence under Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC has been committed with respect to the Indian coins.
- Section 253 IPC does not apply when the person did not know of the alteration at the time of taking possession of the Indian coins.
- Section 253 IPC does not apply when the person retains the altered Indian coins honestly without any fraudulent purpose or intent that fraud be committed.
Section 253 IPC in the BNS
Section 253 IPC is now covered under Section 180 BNS.
Section 253 IPC provided enhanced punishment of imprisonment for up to five years and fine for possessing altered Indian coin known to be altered at acquisition. Section 180 BNS eliminates the separate category of Indian coin, merging all coin possession into a single offence that also covers Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes. An altered coin falls under Section 180 BNS because clause five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS makes alteration counterfeiting. Section 180 BNS substitutes an intention to use the item as genuine for the fraudulent intent required under the IPC, omits the requirement that knowledge exist at the time of acquisition, and introduces an Explanation protecting possession from a lawful source. The maximum imprisonment increases from five years to seven years, and the court may now impose fine alone, in place of imprisonment.
View detailed comparison (IPC 253 vs BNS 180) →FAQs on Section 253 IPC
What does Section 253 IPC punish?▼
It punishes being in fraudulent possession of Indian coin altered under Section 247 IPC or Section 249 IPC, having known of the alteration when possession was acquired.
What is the punishment under Section 253 IPC?▼
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and liability to fine.
How did Section 253 IPC differ from Section 252 IPC?▼
Section 252 IPC applied to coin of any description and carried up to three years imprisonment, whereas Section 253 IPC specifically applied to Indian coin and carried a higher punishment of up to five years imprisonment.
Section 253 IPC: does the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita maintain a separate offence for Indian coin?▼
No. Section 180 BNS consolidates all offences relating to possession of counterfeit coin without maintaining any separate category or higher punishment for Indian coin.
Is Section 253 IPC bailable?▼
No. The offence is non-bailable and cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Which court tries Section 253 IPC?▼
It is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Can an offence under Section 253 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 253 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 ·