Old law lookup
IPC Section 471
Using as genuine a forged document
New section under BNS
BNS Section 340— Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine
Effective for any FIR, charge sheet, or filing on or after 1 July 2024. Matters that arose before that date continue under the IPC.
What the new section does
Sub-section (1) defines a 'forged document or electronic record' as one made wholly or in part by forgery. Sub-section (2) creates the offence of fraudulently or dishonestly using a document or electronic record known or believed to be forged, and equates the punishment to that for the underlying forgery.
- Punishment
- Same punishment as if the accused had forged the document or electronic record in question (punishment determined by reference to sections 336–338 as applicable)
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- Depends
For the full text of the new section, see the linked BNS page above. For the binding statutory text, refer to the India Code or the Gazette of India. This reference is informational, not legal advice.