Section 470 IPC: Forged document

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 470 IPC at a Glance

Section 470 IPC defines a forged document. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 340(1) BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 470 IPC defines a forged document and prescribes no punishment. Substantive offences are punished under Section 465 IPC to Section 469 IPC for making, Section 471 IPC for using, and Section 474 IPC for possessing.

BNS Equivalent

Section 340(1) →

Section 470 IPC Bare Act Text

470. Forged document

A false document or electronic record made wholly or in part by forgery is designated "a forged document or electronic record".

Source: Section 470, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 470 IPC in Simple Words

Section 470 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines a forged document or electronic record. A false document or electronic record made wholly or in part by forgery is designated a forged document or electronic record.

Forgery is defined in Section 463 IPC, and making a false document or electronic record is defined in Section 464 IPC. Section 470 IPC is strictly an interpretative definition and prescribes no offence or punishment of its own.

The definition operates in conjunction with penal provisions such as Section 471 IPC for using a forged document as genuine and Section 474 IPC for possessing specified forged documents with intent to use them. Because Section 470 IPC creates no substantive offence, it has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and compounding under Section 320 CrPC is not applicable.

Ingredients of Section 470 IPC

  • The document or electronic record is a false document or false electronic record within the meaning of Section 464 IPC
  • The false document or electronic record was made wholly or in part by forgery, requiring one of the statutory intents listed in Section 463 IPC

Punishment Under Section 470 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 470 IPC defines a forged document and prescribes no punishment. Substantive offences are punished under Section 465 IPC to Section 469 IPC for making, Section 471 IPC for using, and Section 474 IPC for possessing.

Fine

None. Section 470 IPC prescribes no fine.

Section 470 IPC defines a forged document or electronic record without prescribing any criminal penalty of its own.

Example of Section 470 IPC

In 2016 in Nagpur, Tarun held a genuine rent receipt issued by his landlady, Kavita, for the month of April. Without the knowledge or authority of Kavita, Tarun dishonestly altered the figure on the receipt from five thousand rupees to fifteen thousand rupees, intending to claim a higher housing allowance from his audit office. Because Tarun dishonestly altered a material part of the document with intent to commit fraud, the receipt is a false document made in part by forgery. The receipt is a forged document within Section 470 IPC.

When Section 470 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A document or electronic record was executed or modified with the lawful authority of the person by whom it purports to be made.
  • A false statement is written by a person in their own name without making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC.
  • A document or electronic record was altered in good faith to fix a typing mistake without any of the fraudulent or dishonest intents required by Section 463 IPC.

Section 470 IPC in the BNS

Section 470 IPC is now covered under Section 340(1) BNS.

Section 470 IPC corresponds to Section 340(1) BNS. The definition of a forged document or electronic record is reproduced without change in wording. Section 340(1) BNS consolidates this definition with Section 471 IPC, which punishes using a forged document or electronic record as genuine and becomes Section 340(2) BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 470 vs BNS 340(1)) →

FAQs on Section 470 IPC

What punishment does Section 470 IPC prescribe?▼

None. Section 470 IPC is a definition section that prescribes no punishment of its own. Making a forged document is punished under Section 465 IPC to Section 469 IPC, while using it as genuine is punished under Section 471 IPC.

Is Section 470 IPC bailable?▼

Section 470 IPC creates no offence and therefore has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Bail status is governed by the specific substantive offence charged, such as Section 465 IPC or Section 471 IPC.

What constitutes a forged document under Section 470 IPC?▼

Under Section 470 IPC, a document or electronic record is forged if it is a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC, made wholly or in part by forgery with any statutory intent listed in Section 463 IPC.

Does Section 470 IPC apply if only part of a document is forged?▼

Yes. The section explicitly provides that a false document or electronic record made wholly or in part by forgery is designated a forged document or electronic record.

Does Section 470 IPC extend to electronic records?▼

Yes. The statutory definition covers both traditional paper documents and electronic records, ensuring that digital files and communications made by forgery fall within the definition.

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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 ·