Section 30 IPC: “Valuable security”

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 30 IPC at a Glance

Section 30 IPC defines the term “Valuable security”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(31) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 30 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 2(31) →

Section 30 IPC Bare Act Text

30. “Valuable security”

The words “valuable security” denote a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, or whereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right.

Illustration

A writes his name on the back of a bill of exchange. As the effect of this endorsement is to transfer the right to the bill to any person who may become the lawful holder of it, the endorsement is a “valuable security”.

Source: Section 30, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 30 IPC in Simple Words

Section 30 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the words valuable security. A valuable security is a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, or whereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right.

The illustration treats an endorsement on the back of a bill of exchange as a valuable security. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment; it fixes the meaning of words used in other sections.

Ingredients of Section 30 IPC

  • A document which is, or purports to be, a document
  • Whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released
  • Or whereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right

Punishment Under Section 30 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 30 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 30 IPC is a definition. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 30 IPC

In 2017 in Lucknow, Pranav executed a written deed with Ananya whereby a legal right over a warehouse lease was created, extended and transferred in her favour, while restricting and extinguishing his earlier claim and releasing her from prior rent dues. On the same deed, Pranav also wrote a signed statement acknowledging that he lay under a legal liability for past repairs and had not a certain legal right to evict her. Even if unstamped, the deed purported to be such a document. The deed was a valuable security within Section 30 IPC.

When Section 30 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 30 IPC does not apply to a spoken assurance to transfer property or pay a debt because there is no document.
  • Section 30 IPC does not apply to a personal greeting letter that neither creates, extends, transfers, restricts, extinguishes, or releases any legal right nor acknowledges any legal liability or absence of a legal right.
  • Section 30 IPC does not apply to a weather register or historical diary that merely records events without affecting any legal right or acknowledging any legal liability.

Section 30 IPC in the BNS

Section 30 IPC is now covered under Section 2(31) BNS.

Section 2(31) BNS carries the definition with two wording changes. It says means where the IPC said denote, and it drops the opening words The words. The illustration is kept. It is now a clause of the definitions section, headed valuable security, in place of a section of its own.

View detailed comparison (IPC 30 vs BNS 2(31)) →

FAQs on Section 30 IPC

What does Section 30 IPC define?▼

The words valuable security. They denote a document which is, or purports to be, a document whereby any legal right is created, extended, transferred, restricted, extinguished or released, or whereby any person acknowledges that he lies under legal liability, or has not a certain legal right.

Under Section 30 IPC, what do the words or purports to be add?▼

They cover a document that only purports to be one of that kind, as well as a document which is one.

Under Section 30 IPC, what does the illustration show?▼

That an endorsement can be a valuable security. A writes his name on the back of a bill of exchange. The effect of the endorsement is to transfer the right to the bill to any person who may become its lawful holder, so the endorsement is a valuable security.

Under Section 30 IPC, does an oral promise count?▼

No. The section speaks of a document, so a promise made only in words is outside it.

Does Section 30 IPC create an offence?▼

No. It fixes the meaning of the words and sets no punishment. The punishment comes from the section charged, such as Section 467 IPC on forging a document which purports to be a valuable security.

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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 ·