Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent

What this section does

Penalises a person who, not belonging to a particular class of public servants, wears the garb or carries a token resembling that used by such class, with the intention or knowledge that it is likely to be believed that he belongs to that class.

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 3 months, or fine up to ₹5,000, or both.

Triable by

Any Magistrate

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused does not belong to a certain class of public servants
2. The accused wore a garb or carried a token resembling the garb or token used by that class of public servants
3. The accused did so with the intention that it may be believed, or with knowledge that it is likely to be believed, that he belongs to that class

Derived from IPC s.171.