Section 468 IPC: Forgery for purpose of cheating

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 468 IPC at a Glance

Section 468 IPC deals with forgery for purpose of cheating. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 336(3) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 336(3) →

Section 468 IPC Bare Act Text

468. Forgery for purpose of cheating

Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 468, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 468 IPC in Simple Words

Section 468 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes forgery committed with the intention that the forged document or electronic record shall be used for the purpose of cheating. The offence combines the elements of forgery under Section 463 IPC with a specific fraudulent intent directed towards cheating as defined in Section 415 IPC.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 468 IPC is cognizable and non-bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 468 IPC

  • The accused committed forgery as defined in Section 463 IPC by making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC
  • At the time of committing the forgery, the accused intended that the forged document or electronic record should be used for the purpose of cheating as defined in Section 415 IPC

Punishment Under Section 468 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.

Fine

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

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Section 468 IPC is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 468 IPC

In 2021 in Guwahati, Pranav wanted to sell brass idols to a collector named Subhash by passing them off as rare eighteenth-century antiques. Pranav created a false laboratory evaluation report in the name of an archaeologist named Hemant and forged the signature of Hemant on the report, intending to use it to deceive Subhash into paying five lakh rupees for the idols. Hemant had never examined the idols or signed the report. Pranav committed forgery intending that the forged document be used for the purpose of cheating. Pranav is punishable under Section 468 IPC.

When Section 468 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A person commits forgery for a purpose other than cheating, such as merely delaying a proceeding or harming someone's reputation.
  • A person deceives and cheats another through oral representations without making or altering any false document or electronic record.
  • The document or electronic record was genuinely made with proper authority and was not fabricated or dishonestly altered.
  • An individual merely tenders a forged document as genuine without having made it, which is dealt with under Section 471 IPC.

Section 468 IPC in the BNS

Section 468 IPC is now covered under Section 336(3) BNS.

Section 468 IPC corresponds to Section 336(3) BNS. The offence and the punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and liability to fine remain unchanged. Section 336(3) BNS consolidates the definition of forgery from Section 463 IPC as Section 336(1) BNS, the general punishment from Section 465 IPC as Section 336(2) BNS, forgery for cheating from Section 468 IPC as Section 336(3) BNS, and forgery for harming reputation from Section 469 IPC as Section 336(4) BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 468 vs BNS 336(3)) →

FAQs on Section 468 IPC

What punishment does Section 468 IPC prescribe?▼

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

Is Section 468 IPC bailable?▼

No. Section 468 IPC is non-bailable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. It is cognizable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

What are the essential ingredients of Section 468 IPC?▼

The prosecution must prove that the accused committed forgery under Section 463 IPC, and that at the time of making the false document or electronic record, the accused intended it to be used for the purpose of cheating.

Must the forged document actually be used to cheat someone for Section 468 IPC to apply?▼

No. The offence under Section 468 IPC is complete when the forgery is committed with the requisite intention to cheat. Actually using the document as genuine constitutes a distinct offence under Section 471 IPC.

How does Section 468 IPC differ from general forgery under Section 465 IPC?▼

Section 465 IPC provides a general punishment of imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both. Section 468 IPC is an aggravated offence requiring the specific intention to use the document for cheating, carrying imprisonment up to seven years and liability to fine.

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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 ·