Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable security
What this section does
Criminalises the fraudulent or dishonest cancellation, destruction, defacement, secreting, or mischief in respect of a will, an authority to adopt a son, or any valuable security. Attempts to do any of these acts are equally punishable.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, and fine.
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Accused cancelled, destroyed, defaced, secreted, or committed mischief in respect of a document, or attempted to do so
- The document was or purported to be a will, an authority to adopt a son, or a valuable security
- The act was done fraudulently, dishonestly, or with intent to cause damage or injury to the public or any person
Practitioner note
The section expressly covers documents that merely 'purport to be' a will or authority to adopt, so the document need not be legally valid. Attempts are punished on par with the completed act.
Derived from IPC s.477.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 343, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 343 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.