IPC 275

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Introduction of IPC 275

IPC Section 275 deals with the sale of adulterated drugs. This section ensures that medicines remain pure, effective, and safe for public consumption. If a person sells or offers for sale any drug that has been mixed with harmful or ineffective substances, they can be punished with imprisonment of up to six months, a fine, or both. The purpose of this section is to protect public health and prevent the spread of harmful medicines.

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What is IPC Section 275?

IPC Section 275 is a law that punishes people who sell adulterated (impure or harmful) medicines. Selling such medicines can cause health problems for patients. If someone knowingly sells a drug that has been mixed with harmful substances or has lost its effectiveness, they can be punished with imprisonment of up to six months, a fine, or both. This law helps to keep medicines safe for people.

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Section 275 IPC in Simple Points

1. Selling Harmful Medicines is a Crime

If a person sells or offers a medicine that is mixed with harmful substances, they are committing a crime under IPC 275. The law applies even if the person knows or should know that the medicine is not safe. This prevents fake or bad-quality medicines from harming people.

For example, if a shopkeeper sells expired or fake medicines, and someone gets sick after using them, the shopkeeper can be punished.

2. Punishment for the Offense

The punishment under IPC 275 includes:

• Imprisonment of up to six months
• A fine of up to one thousand rupees
• Both imprisonment and fine in serious cases

The punishment depends on how dangerous the medicine is and if it has already harmed someone.

3. Protecting Public Health

This law protects people from using unsafe medicines. If people take adulterated drugs, they may experience:

• No improvement in their health
• Severe side effects or new health problems
• Serious illness or even death in extreme cases

By stopping the sale of such medicines, IPC 275 ensures people receive safe and effective treatment.

4. Applies to All Types of Medicines

IPC 275 applies to all types of medicines, such as:

• Tablets, capsules, syrups, and injections
• Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Unani medicines
• Modern (Allopathic) medicines

If any of these medicines are found to be unsafe, the seller can be punished under this law.

5. Consumer Awareness is Important

People should be careful while buying medicines. If someone gets a medicine that looks suspicious, has a strange color, or causes unusual side effects, they should:

• Report it to the drug authorities
• Check the expiry date and packaging
• Avoid buying medicines from unknown sellers

By reporting bad medicines, people can help prevent others from getting sick.

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Section 275 IPC Overview

IPC 275 is a crucial law that protects public health by ensuring that only safe and effective medicines are sold. It punishes individuals who sell or offer adulterated drugs, preventing serious health complications. Strict enforcement of this law ensures that people receive genuine medicines and are not exposed to dangerous or ineffective treatments.

IPC 275: 10 Key Points

1. Meaning of Adulterated Drugs

Adulterated drugs refer to medicines that have been altered in such a way that they become less effective, harmful, or dangerous. This can happen when manufacturers or sellers add cheap substitutes, dilute the medicine, or mix it with toxic substances. Adulteration reduces the medicinal value of the drug and can cause serious harm to patients.

For example, if a medicine meant to cure infections is mixed with harmful chemicals or contains lower active ingredients, it may fail to treat the illness or even cause severe side effects. IPC 275 ensures that such drugs do not reach the market and harm people.

2. Selling Harmful Medicines is a Crime

Under IPC 275, if a person knowingly sells, offers, or exposes for sale an adulterated drug, they commit a punishable offense. This law applies even if the person knows or has reason to believe that the drug is unsafe.

For example, if a shopkeeper receives a batch of medicines that appear unusual or different in quality but still sells them to customers, they can be charged under IPC 275. Even online pharmacies can be held accountable if they sell adulterated drugs.

This provision ensures accountability and prevents individuals from profiting at the cost of public health.

3. Punishment for Selling Adulterated Drugs

The punishment for violating IPC 275 includes:

• Imprisonment for a period of up to six months
• A fine which can extend to one thousand rupees
• Both imprisonment and fine in severe cases

The severity of the punishment depends on how harmful the adulterated drug is and whether it has already caused health issues. Courts may consider aggravating factors, such as intentionally selling dangerous drugs or selling them in large quantities.

4. Protecting Public Health and Safety

The primary objective of IPC 275 is to protect people from consuming harmful medicines. When individuals take adulterated drugs, they may suffer from serious health issues, such as:

• Allergic reactions
• Organ damage
• Worsening of existing diseases
• Unexpected side effects
• Death in extreme cases

By criminalizing the sale of such drugs, this law prevents health crises and ensures public trust in medicines.

5. Applicability of IPC 275

IPC 275 applies to all types of medicines, including:

• Allopathic (Modern) medicines
• Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Unani medicines
• Syrups, tablets, capsules, injections, and ointments

If any of these are found to be adulterated and harmful, the person selling them will be held responsible. This law applies equally to pharmacies, hospitals, wholesalers, and online drug sellers.

6. Proof of Adulteration is Necessary

To punish an individual under IPC 275, it must be proven that the drug was adulterated and that the accused knew or had reason to believe that the drug was unsafe.

Evidence needed to prove the offense includes:

• Laboratory test reports confirming adulteration
• Statements from customers or victims who suffered harm
• Inspection reports from drug regulatory authorities
• Seized adulterated medicines

Authorities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) play a crucial role in testing medicines and identifying adulterated drugs.

7. Comparison with IPC 274

IPC 275 and IPC 274 are closely related but differ in their focus:

IPC 274	IPC 275
Deals with adulteration of drugs	Deals with sale of adulterated drugs
Punishes individuals who alter or mix harmful substances in medicines	Punishes individuals who sell or offer adulterated medicines
The crime is complete once the drug is adulterated	The crime is complete once the drug is sold or exposed for sale

Both sections work together to prevent harmful medicines from reaching the public.

8. Role of Drug Regulatory Authorities

Government bodies such as the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and state-level Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) are responsible for:

• Inspecting pharmacies and manufacturers
• Testing drugs for quality and safety
• Banning unsafe or adulterated drugs
• Taking legal action against offenders

They ensure that all medicines sold in India comply with strict safety and quality regulations.

9. Adulterated Drugs in Medical Shops

Medical shops and hospitals must ensure that only genuine, safe, and approved medicines are sold. If a pharmacy or medical store sells adulterated drugs, the owner and staff can face legal action under IPC 275.

For example:
A medical store receives counterfeit painkillers that do not contain the required active ingredients but still sells them to patients. If caught, the store owner and suppliers can be punished under IPC 275.

Strict monitoring and inspections help prevent such incidents.

10. Consumer Awareness and Legal Action

Consumers should be aware of their rights and report any suspicion of adulterated medicines to the authorities. If someone suffers harm due to such drugs, they can:

1. File a complaint with drug control authorities
2. Seek compensation for health damages
3. Report the issue to consumer courts
4. Help authorities take action against the sellers

Example 1:
A pharmacist mixes expired medicines with new ones and sells them as fresh stock to patients. A consumer falls ill after taking the medicine and reports it to the authorities. The pharmacist is charged under IPC 275 for selling adulterated drugs that could harm public health.

Example 2:
A drug manufacturer dilutes antibiotics with low-quality substances to increase profits. The medicine becomes less effective, leading to complications for patients. After an inspection, the manufacturer is found guilty and punished under IPC 275 for selling adulterated drugs

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Section 275 IPC case laws

1. State of Maharashtra vs. Ram Singh (2010)

Case Summary: A pharmacist was caught selling expired and adulterated medicines that led to severe health issues in patients. The police seized the medicines, and lab tests confirmed adulteration.
Result: The court convicted the accused under IPC 275 and imposed a three-month imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000.

2. State vs. Ramesh Kumar (2015)

Case Summary: A medical store owner was found selling fake antibiotics that had no medicinal effect. Patients who consumed them did not recover, leading to complaints.
Result: The court sentenced the accused to six months of imprisonment and a fine of ₹15,000 for knowingly selling ineffective drugs.

3. CBI vs. Pharma India Ltd. (2018)

Case Summary: A pharmaceutical company was investigated for producing and selling painkillers that contained toxic substances. Several people suffered kidney damage after consumption.
Result: The company’s owner was found guilty under IPC 275 and sentenced to four months of imprisonment and a heavy fine of ₹5 lakh.

4. Delhi Police vs. Mohan Traders (2021)

Case Summary: A drug supplier was caught selling low-quality vaccines that were falsely labeled as government-approved. Many people developed allergic reactions.
Result: The court imposed a five-month jail sentence and a fine of ₹50,000 for selling hazardous medicines.

5. State vs. Vikram Sharma (2022)

Case Summary: A street vendor was arrested for selling pain relief syrups mixed with harmful chemicals. The lab test confirmed adulteration.
Result: The court found him guilty and sentenced him to three months in prison and a ₹5,000 fine.

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275 IPC Punishment

Imprisonment – A person convicted under IPC 275 can be jailed for up to six months. The severity of the punishment depends on how harmful the adulterated medicine is.

Fine – The guilty person can also be fined up to ₹1,000. In serious cases, both imprisonment and fine can be given together.

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275 IPC Bailable or non bailable

IPC 275 is a bailable offense, which means the accused can apply for bail and get released from custody until the trial is completed. However, repeated offenses or cases causing serious harm may result in stricter actions by the court.

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Section 275 IPC in short information

IPC Section	Offense	Punishment	Bailable/Non-Bailable	Cognizable/Non-Cognizable	Trial By
IPC 275	Sale of adulterated drugs	Up to 6 months of imprisonment or fine up to ₹1,000, or both	Bailable	Non-Cognizable	Magistrate

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IPC Section 275 FAQs

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