IPC § 473 · Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Repealed on 1 July 2024
Section 473 IPC — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable otherwise
Replaced from 1 July 2024 by BNS 341(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Offences committed on or before 30 June 2024 are still charged under the IPC.
The law now: BNS 341 — Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 338
BNS 341(2) is the part that replaced IPC 473.
(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.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in). The Gazette of India is the authoritative text. BNS 341 in full