IPC Section 420

BNS Section 318— Cheating

Effective for any FIR, charge sheet, or filing on or after 1 July 2024. Matters that arose before that date continue under the IPC.

This section defines cheating and prescribes graduated punishments. Cheating involves deceiving a person to fraudulently or dishonestly induce delivery of property, consent to retention of property, or to do or omit something causing damage or harm. Punishments increase where the accused owed a duty to protect the victim's interests or where the cheating induced delivery of property or alteration of a valuable security.

Punishment

Basic cheating (sub-section 2): imprisonment of either description up to 3 years, or fine, or both. Cheating in breach of duty to protect victim's interest (sub-section 3): up to 5 years, or fine, or both. Cheating inducing delivery of property or alteration/destruction of valuable security (sub-section 4): up to 7 years, and fine.

Triable by

Magistrate of First Class

Cognizable

Depends

Bailable

Depends