Section 469 IPC: Forgery for purpose of harming reputation

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 469 IPC at a Glance

Section 469 IPC deals with forgery for purpose of harming reputation. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 336(4) BNS.

Punishment

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

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

Section 336(4) →

Section 469 IPC Bare Act Text

469. Forgery for purpose of harming reputation

Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall harm the reputation of any party, or knowing that it is likely to be used for that purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 469, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 469 IPC in Simple Words

Section 469 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes forgery committed with the specific intention that the forged document or electronic record shall harm the reputation of any party, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be used for that purpose. Forgery is defined in Section 463 IPC.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and the offender is also liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 469 IPC is cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 469 IPC

  • The accused committed forgery as defined in Section 463 IPC by making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC
  • The accused forged the document or electronic record intending that it should harm the reputation of any party, or knowing that it was likely to be used for that purpose

Punishment Under Section 469 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

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

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

Section 469 IPC is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 469 IPC

In 2017 in Bhopal, Nidhi bore a grudge against her university professor, Raghuveer. She prepared a handwritten confession note purporting to be written and signed by Raghuveer, in which he falsely admitted to leaking examination question papers to students for money. Nidhi forged the note intending that it should harm the reputation of Raghuveer and knowing that it was likely to be used for that purpose. Raghuveer had never written or authorized the note. Nidhi is punishable under Section 469 IPC.

When Section 469 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A person commits forgery for financial gain or another purpose, without intending to harm anyone's reputation or knowing that the forged record is likely to be used for that purpose.
  • A person publishes a defamatory statement in their own name or orally, without fabricating a false document or electronic record in someone else's name.
  • An authentic document written by a person is shared with others, even if its contents embarrass or lower the standing of that person.
  • An individual merely reads or forwards a forged defamatory document without having participated in forging it.

Section 469 IPC in the BNS

Section 469 IPC is now covered under Section 336(4) BNS.

Section 469 IPC corresponds to Section 336(4) BNS. The offence and the punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to three years and liability to fine remain unchanged. Section 336(4) 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 469 vs BNS 336(4)) →

FAQs on Section 469 IPC

What punishment does Section 469 IPC prescribe?▼

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

Is Section 469 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. The First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 lists Section 469 IPC as bailable, so the accused is entitled to bail as of right. It is also cognizable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

What are the essential ingredients of Section 469 IPC?▼

The prosecution must prove that the accused committed forgery under Section 463 IPC, and that the accused intended the forged document or electronic record to harm the reputation of any party, or knew it was likely to be used for that purpose.

Is knowledge that the document is likely to harm reputation sufficient under Section 469 IPC?▼

Yes. The statute explicitly covers both an accused who intends to harm reputation and an accused who knows that the forged document or electronic record is likely to be used for that purpose.

Does Section 469 IPC require that the reputation of the victim was actually ruined?▼

No. The offence is complete upon committing the forgery with the requisite intent or knowledge. Proof of actual damage to reputation is not a mandatory prerequisite for conviction under this section.

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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 ·