Possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-notes or bank-notes
What this section does
This section punishes possession of forged or counterfeit coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note where the possessor knows or has reason to believe it to be forged or counterfeit and intends to use it as genuine. An explanation provides that establishing a lawful source of possession is a defence.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years, or fine, or both.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused had in their possession a forged or counterfeit coin, stamp, currency-note, or bank-note
- The accused knew or had reason to believe the item to be forged or counterfeit
- The accused intended to use it as genuine or intended that it may be used as genuine
- The accused cannot establish that the possession was from a lawful source
Practitioner note
The Explanation creates a statutory defence: if the accused establishes that possession was from a lawful source, no offence is made out under this section. The burden of establishing lawful source appears to rest on the accused.
Derived from IPC s.489C.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 180, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 180 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.