Sale of adulterated drugs

What this section does

Punishes the knowing sale, offer for sale, dispensing, or causing use of a drug or medical preparation that has been adulterated (so as to lessen efficacy, change operation, or render it noxious), while representing it as unadulterated or without disclosing the adulteration to the user.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for up to 6 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 drug or medical preparation had been adulterated so as to lessen its efficacy, change its operation, or render it noxious
2. The accused knew of this adulteration
3. The accused sold, offered or exposed for sale, issued from a dispensary as unadulterated, or caused it to be used for medicinal purposes by a person unaware of the adulteration

Derived from IPC s.275.