Section 275 IPC: Sale of adulterated drugs

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 275 IPC at a Glance

Section 275 IPC deals with sale of adulterated drugs. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 277 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 277 →

Section 275 IPC Bare Act Text

275. Sale of adulterated drugs

Whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, to change its operation, or to render it noxious, sells the same, or offers or exposes it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Source: Section 275, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 275 IPC in Simple Words

Section 275 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, change its operation, or render it noxious, sells it, offers or exposes it for sale, issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is non-cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.

Ingredients of Section 275 IPC

  • A drug or medical preparation has been adulterated so as to lessen its efficacy, change its operation, or render it noxious
  • The accused knows of that adulteration
  • The accused sells the drug, offers or exposes it for sale, issues it from a dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by a person ignorant of the adulteration

Punishment Under Section 275 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.

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

Selling adulterated drugs is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine of up to one thousand rupees, or with both.

Example of Section 275 IPC

In 2020, Gautam managed a clinic dispensary in Coimbatore. A dealer supplied him with vials of eye drops that had been adulterated with plain saline, which greatly lessened their medicinal efficacy against infection. The dealer told Gautam about the dilution while offering a steep discount. Knowing that the medical preparation had been adulterated in a manner that lessened its efficacy, Gautam still issued the vials from the dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated medicine and sold them to Kavita, who knew nothing of the adulteration. Gautam is punishable under Section 275 IPC.

When Section 275 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 275 IPC does not apply when the seller or dispenser was genuinely unaware that the drug or medical preparation had been adulterated.
  • Section 275 IPC does not apply if the adulteration of the drug did not lessen its efficacy, alter its operation, or make it noxious.
  • Section 275 IPC does not apply where an adulterated drug is kept set aside for destruction and is neither sold, offered or exposed for sale, issued from a dispensary, nor caused to be used medicinally.
  • Section 275 IPC does not apply if the item sold or dispensed is not a drug or medical preparation.

Section 275 IPC in the BNS

Section 275 IPC is now covered under Section 277 BNS.

Section 275 IPC is now Section 277 BNS. The definition of the offence remains unchanged, but the maximum fine has been raised from one thousand rupees under Section 275 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 277 BNS. The maximum term of imprisonment of six months is unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 275 vs BNS 277) →

FAQs on Section 275 IPC

What does Section 275 IPC punish?▼

It punishes selling, offering or exposing for sale, issuing from a dispensary as unadulterated, or causing medicinal use of any drug known to have been adulterated so as to lessen efficacy, change operation, or become noxious.

What is the punishment under Section 275 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

What fine is prescribed under Section 277 BNS compared to Section 275 IPC?▼

Section 275 IPC capped the fine at one thousand rupees. Section 277 BNS increases the maximum fine to five thousand rupees.

How does Section 275 IPC differ from Section 274 IPC?▼

Section 274 IPC punishes the act of adulterating the drug. Section 275 IPC punishes a person who, knowing of that adulteration, sells, exposes for sale, or issues the drug for medicinal use.

Is Section 275 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 275 IPC is bailable and non-cognizable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 275 IPC?▼

It is triable by any Magistrate.

Can an offence under Section 275 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 275 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 ·