Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods

What this section does

Penalises making a false mark on any receptacle containing goods in a manner likely to mislead a public servant or any person about the nature, quality, or contents of the goods. Sub-section (2) extends the same punishment to anyone who uses such a false mark. In both cases the accused may escape liability by proving absence of intent to defraud.

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

Quick reference

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, or fine, or both.

Triable by

Magistrate of First Class

Cognizable

No

Bailable

Yes

Compoundable

Depends

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. Accused made a false mark on a case, package or other receptacle containing goods (sub-section 1), or used such a false mark (sub-section 2)
2. The mark was reasonably calculated to cause a public servant or any person to believe the receptacle contained goods it did not contain, or did not contain goods it did contain, or that the goods were of a different nature or quality
3. Accused fails to prove he acted without intent to defraud (reverse burden)

Derived from IPC s.487.