Forgery
What this section does
Defines the offence of forgery as making a false document or electronic record with specified fraudulent intents, and prescribes three tiers of punishment depending on whether the forgery is basic, intended for cheating, or intended to harm reputation.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Basic forgery (sub-s.2): up to 2 years imprisonment or fine or both; Forgery for cheating (sub-s.3): up to 7 years + fine; Forgery to harm reputation (sub-s.4): up to 3 years + fine
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- Depends
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Making a false document or false electronic record (or part thereof) as defined in section 335
- Intent to cause damage or injury to the public or any person, or to support a claim or title, or to cause parting with property, or to induce entry into a contract, or to commit or facilitate fraud
Practitioner note
Sub-sections (3) and (4) create aggravated variants. The intent element is critical: the same act of making a false document attracts different maxima depending on the purpose for which it is forged.
- IPC Section 463 — Forgery (definition)
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 336, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 336 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.