Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Section 186

BNS 186: earlier IPC 263A

Section 186 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaces Section 263A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. BNS 186 deals with prohibition of fictitious stamps. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024. Both texts are set out below, side by side, with the changed words marked.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

BNS 186 was IPC 263A.

Prohibition of fictitious stamps.

Carried over
92% of the old wording kept
Old · IPC 1860 · Ch. XII
s. 263A
Prohibition of fictitious stamps
(1) Whoever—
(a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp, or
(b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp, or
(c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp 2[may be seized and, if seized] shall be forfeited.
(3) In this section “fictitious stamp” means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.
(4) In this section and also in sections 255 to 263, both inclusive, the word “Government”, when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in section 17, be deemed to include the person or persons authorized by law to administer executive government in any part of India, and also in any part of Her Majesty's dominions or in any foreign country.
Text from the official India Code PDF
New · BNS 2023 · Ch. X
s. 186
Prohibition of fictitious stamps.
(1) Whoever—.
(a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp; or.
(b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp; or.
(c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees..
(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp may be seized and, if seized shall be forfeited..
(3) In this section “fictitious stamp” means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.
(4) In this section and also in sections 178 to 181 (both inclusive), and sections 183 to 185 (both inclusive) the word “Government”, when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in clause (12) of section 2, be deemed to include the person or persons authorised by law to administer executive Government in any part of India or in any foreign country.
Text from India Code
Old classification · CrPC First Schedule, for IPC 263A
CognizableCognizable
BailableBailable
PunishmentFine of 200 rupees
Triable byAny Magistrate.
For an offence under the BNS, check the First Schedule of the BNSS.

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