Section 472 IPC: Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 472 IPC at a Glance
Section 472 IPC deals with making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 341(1) BNS.
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
Section 472 IPC Bare Act Text
472. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467
Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under section 467 of this Code, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 472, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 472 IPC in Simple Words
Section 472 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes making, counterfeiting or possessing any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, with intent that it shall be used for committing any forgery punishable under Section 467 IPC. Where the charge is possession, the prosecution must additionally establish that the accused possessed the instrument knowing it to be counterfeit.
Section 467 IPC punishes the forgery of valuable securities, wills, authorities to adopt and related documents. The punishment under Section 472 IPC is imprisonment for life, or 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 472 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 472 IPC
- The accused made or counterfeited a seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, or possessed such an instrument knowing it to be counterfeit
- The accused acted with the specific intention that the seal, plate or other instrument should be used for committing a forgery punishable under Section 467 IPC
Punishment Under Section 472 IPC
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
The offender is also liable to fine. The statute does not prescribe a mandatory fine or fix a maximum amount.
Section 472 IPC is punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Example of Section 472 IPC
When Section 472 IPC Does Not Apply
- A person makes or holds an authentic seal or impression plate with proper authorization.
- A person possesses a counterfeit seal or plate without knowing that it is counterfeit or without intending to use it for a forgery covered by Section 467 IPC.
- A person makes or possesses a counterfeit seal intending to forge a document that falls under another forgery provision rather than Section 467 IPC, which is governed by Section 473 IPC.
- A person commits forgery entirely by handwriting or digital editing without making or possessing any seal, plate, or other instrument for making an impression.
Section 472 IPC in the BNS
Section 472 IPC is now covered under Section 341(1) BNS.
Section 472 IPC corresponds to Section 341(1) BNS. The wording and prescribed punishments of imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for up to seven years with liability to fine remain unchanged, with Section 338 BNS cited in place of Section 467 IPC. Section 341(1) BNS also introduces two new offences without direct IPC counterparts: Section 341(3) BNS penalizes simple possession of a counterfeit seal, plate or instrument knowing it to be counterfeit with imprisonment up to three years and liability to fine, and Section 341(4) BNS penalizes fraudulently or dishonestly using such an instrument as genuine.
View detailed comparison (IPC 472 vs BNS 341(1)) →FAQs on Section 472 IPC
What punishment does Section 472 IPC prescribe?▼
Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.
Is Section 472 IPC bailable?▼
Yes. The First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 lists Section 472 IPC as bailable, so the accused is entitled to bail as of right despite the potential life sentence. It is cognizable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
What are the essential ingredients of Section 472 IPC?▼
The prosecution must prove that the accused made or counterfeited an impression instrument, or possessed it knowing it to be counterfeit, and that the accused intended it to be used to commit a forgery punishable under Section 467 IPC.
Must a forged document actually have been produced to violate Section 472 IPC?▼
No. The offence is complete when the seal, plate or instrument is fabricated or possessed with the requisite intent to commit a Section 467 IPC forgery, regardless of whether any document was ultimately stamped or forged.
Under Section 472 IPC, what offence applies if the counterfeit seal was intended for a different forgery?▼
If the intended forgery is punishable under any other section of the Chapter rather than Section 467 IPC, Section 473 IPC applies. Section 473 IPC provides imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and liability to fine, without the option of life imprisonment.
Have questions about Section 472 IPC?
Ask NyayGuru for a plain language explanation, punishment details, or how it applies to your situation.
Ask NyayGuru →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 ·