Section 267 IPC: Making or selling false weight or measure

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 267 IPC at a Glance

Section 267 IPC deals with making or selling false weight or measure. It is non-bailable and 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.

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

Section 267 IPC Bare Act Text

267. Making or selling false weight or measure

Whoever makes, sells or disposes of any instrument for weighing, or any weight, or any measure of length or capacity which he knows to be false, in order that the same may be used as true, or knowing that the same is likely to be used as true, 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 267, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 267 IPC in Simple Words

Section 267 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever makes, sells, or disposes of any instrument for weighing, or any weight, or any measure of length or capacity which he knows to be false, in order that the same may be used as true, or knowing that the same is likely to be used as true. 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 cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by any Magistrate. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has no equivalent section.

Ingredients of Section 267 IPC

  • Making, selling, or disposing of any instrument for weighing, or any weight, or any measure of length or capacity
  • Knowing that the instrument, weight, or measure is false
  • Acting in order that the same may be used as true, or knowing that the same is likely to be used as true

Punishment Under Section 267 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.

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

Making or selling 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 267 IPC

In 2017, Nadeem ran a sheet metal fabrication unit in Moradabad. He crafted aluminium milk cans stamped as two litres in capacity, deliberately shaping the walls inward so each can held only one thousand seven hundred millilitres. Knowing that these measures of capacity were false, Nadeem sold a batch of the cans to dairy hawkers in order that they might be used as true two litre measures, and knowing the hawkers were likely to use them as true. Nadeem is punishable under Section 267 IPC.

When Section 267 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The craftsman manufactured or sold a weighing instrument, weight, or measure that was accurate.
  • The seller disposed of a defective weight or measure without knowing that it was inaccurate.
  • An uncalibrated weight was sold strictly as decorative brassware with no intention or likelihood of its being used as a true weight.
  • The person merely possessed the false article and neither made, sold, nor disposed of it.

Section 267 IPC in the BNS

Repealed - No equivalent in BNS

Deleted. The BNS has no section in its place.

FAQs on Section 267 IPC

What does Section 267 IPC punish?▼

It punishes making, selling, or disposing of any weighing instrument, weight, or measure of length or capacity known to be false, in order that it may be used as true, or knowing that it is likely to be used as true.

What is the punishment under Section 267 IPC?▼

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

How does Section 267 IPC differ from Section 266 IPC?▼

Section 266 IPC punishes possessing a weighing instrument, weight or measure known to be false, intending that it may be fraudulently used. Section 267 IPC punishes making, selling or disposing of one known to be false, in order that it may be used as true, or knowing that it is likely to be used as true.

What is the BNS equivalent of Section 267 IPC?▼

There is none. The official comparison lists Section 267 IPC as deleted and the BNS contains no equivalent section.

Is Section 267 IPC bailable?▼

No. The offence is non-bailable and cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Which court tries Section 267 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 267 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 267 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 ·