Section 265 IPC: Fraudulent use of false weight or measure

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 265 IPC at a Glance

Section 265 IPC deals with fraudulent use of false weight or measure. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate. It has no direct equivalent in the BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Section 265 IPC Bare Act Text

265. Fraudulent use of false weight or measure

Whoever, fraudulently uses any false weight or false measure of length or capacity, or fraudulently uses any weight or any measure of length or capacity as a different weight or measure from what it is, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 265, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 265 IPC in Simple Words

Section 265 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes fraudulently using any false weight or false measure of length or capacity, or fraudulently using any weight or measure as a different weight or measure from what it is. The offence carries imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is non-cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has no equivalent section.

Ingredients of Section 265 IPC

  • Fraudulently using any false weight or false measure of length or capacity
  • Or fraudulently using any weight or measure of length or capacity as a different weight or measure from what it is

Punishment Under Section 265 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.

Fine

Fine with no fixed limit, alone or with imprisonment.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Fraudulently using a false weight or measure is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 265 IPC

In 2018, Meenakshi managed a silk fabric showroom in Mysuru. She kept a wooden yardstick stamped as one metre that had been trimmed at both ends so that it measured only ninety centimetres in length. Knowing the rod was short, she fraudulently used that false measure of length to measure brocade cloth for wedding tailors while charging them for full metres. On other orders, she fraudulently used a genuine fifty centimetre rod as a one metre measure. Meenakshi is punishable under Section 265 IPC.

When Section 265 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A merchant measured goods using a standard weight or measure that matched its stated denomination.
  • A helper picked up the wrong measuring rod by mistake without any intention to deceive.
  • No false weight or false measure of length or capacity was used in the transaction.
  • A genuine weight or measure was used strictly according to its true value and not passed off as a different unit.

Section 265 IPC in the BNS

Repealed - No equivalent in BNS

Deleted. The BNS has no section in its place.

FAQs on Section 265 IPC

What does Section 265 IPC punish?▼

It punishes fraudulently using any false weight or false measure of length or capacity, or fraudulently using any weight or measure as a different weight or measure from what it is.

What is the punishment under Section 265 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Does Section 265 IPC require fraudulent intention?▼

Yes. The section requires that the use of the false weight or measure be fraudulent, so an honest error without fraudulent intent is not sufficient.

What is the BNS equivalent of Section 265 IPC?▼

There is none. The official comparison lists Section 265 IPC as deleted and the BNS contains no equivalent section.

Is Section 265 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. The offence is bailable and non-cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Which court tries Section 265 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 265 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 265 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·