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CHAPTER XVIII OF OFFENCES RELATING TO DOCUMENTS AND TO PROPERTY MARKS

Section 341: Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

(1) Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under section 338 of this Sanhita, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Whoever makes or counterfeits any seal, plate or other instrument for making an impression, intending that the same shall be used for the purpose of committing any forgery which would be punishable under any section of this Chapter other than section 338, or, with such intent, has in his possession any such seal, plate or other instrument, knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(3) Whoever possesses any seal, plate or other instrument knowing the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(4) Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any seal, plate or other instrument knowing or having reason to believe the same to be counterfeit, shall be punished in the same manner as if he had made or counterfeited such seal, plate or other instrument.

Corresponding IPC provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

Questions on this section

1 question in 6 of our papers cite Section 341. Try these from the free papers:

  1. 1. Assertion (A): Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, a person who possesses a seal knowing it to be counterfeit commits an offence even if no intent to commit forgery is proved. Reason (R): Section 341(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes such possession with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment up to seven years, and fine. Choose the correct option.

Practise questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita