Section 467 IPC: Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 467 IPC at a Glance

Section 467 IPC deals with forgery of valuable security, will, etc. It is non-bailable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 338 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizance depends on the case ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 338 →

Section 467 IPC Bare Act Text

467. Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.
Whoever forges a document which purports to be a valuable security or a will, or an authority to adopt a son, or which purports to give authority to any person to make or transfer any valuable security, or to receive the principal, interest or dividends thereon, or to receive or deliver any money, movable property, or valuable security, or any document purporting to be an acquittance or receipt acknowledging the payment of money, or an acquittance or receipt for the delivery of any movable property or valuable security, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 467, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 467 IPC in Simple Words

Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes the forgery of documents of high legal or commercial importance, including valuable securities and wills. It applies to any person who forges a document purporting to be a valuable security, a will, an authority to adopt a son, an authority to make or transfer any valuable security or receive principal, interest or dividends thereon, an authority to receive or deliver money, movable property or valuable security, or an acquittance or receipt acknowledging the payment of money or the delivery of any movable property or valuable security.

The punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the offence is non-bailable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

It is non-cognizable, except where the valuable security is a promissory note of the Central Government, in which case it is cognizable. The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 467 IPC

The accused committed forgery as defined in Section 463 IPC by making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC
The forged document purported to be a valuable security, a will, an authority to adopt a son, an authority to make or transfer a valuable security, an authority to receive principal, interest, dividends, money or movable property, or an acquittance or receipt for the payment of money or the delivery of any movable property or valuable security

Punishment Under Section 467 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine. The statute does not prescribe a mandatory fine or fix a maximum amount.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizance depends on the case ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Cognizable: Cognizable when the valuable security is a promissory note of the Central Government; otherwise non-cognizable

Section 467 IPC is punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 467 IPC

In 2020 in Coimbatore, Bhaskar owed three lakh rupees to a grain merchant named Natarajan for sacks of rice purchased on credit. To evade repayment when Natarajan demanded the balance, Bhaskar prepared a written receipt acknowledging full payment of the three lakh rupees and dishonestly forged the signature of Natarajan at the bottom without his authority, intending to defeat the claim of Natarajan. Natarajan had never received the money or signed the receipt. Bhaskar forged a document purporting to be a receipt acknowledging the payment of money. Bhaskar is punishable under Section 467 IPC.

When Section 467 IPC Does Not Apply

The will, valuable security, authority, or receipt was genuinely executed by or with the authority of the person whose signature it bears.
A document was prepared or modified without dishonest or fraudulent intent and without any of the intents required for forgery under Section 463 IPC.
The forged instrument does not purport to be a valuable security, will, authority to adopt a son, authority to transfer or receive property or money, or a receipt for payment or delivery.
A person only uses an already forged will or valuable security as genuine without having forged it, which is governed by Section 471 IPC.

Section 467 IPC in the BNS

Section 467 IPC is now covered under Section 338 BNS.

Section 467 IPC corresponds to Section 338 BNS. The heading, statutory wording and prescribed punishments of imprisonment for life or up to ten years with liability to fine remain unchanged in substance.

View detailed comparison (IPC 467 vs BNS 338) →

FAQs on Section 467 IPC

What does Section 467 IPC punish?▼

Section 467 IPC punishes the forgery of documents purporting to be valuable securities, wills, authorities to adopt a son, authorities to transfer or receive valuable securities or money, and acquittances or receipts for money or movable property.

What is the punishment under Section 467 IPC?▼

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Is an offence under Section 467 IPC bailable?▼

No. The First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 classifies Section 467 IPC as non-bailable in all cases.

Is an offence under Section 467 IPC cognizable?▼

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 467 IPC is non-cognizable, except where the valuable security forged is a promissory note of the Central Government, in which case it is cognizable.

Which court tries an offence under Section 467 IPC?▼

An offence under Section 467 IPC is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 467 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 467 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC, so it cannot be compounded.

What is considered a valuable security under Section 467 IPC?▼

Section 30 IPC defines a valuable security as 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.

Where is Section 467 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 467 IPC corresponds to Section 338 BNS, in Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.

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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 ·