Introduction of 336 BNS
BNS Section 336 deals with the offense of forgery, which includes creating or altering documents or electronic records with fraudulent intent. It aims to address cases where forgery is used to cheat, harm someone’s reputation, or cause financial or personal damage. This section defines the offense, prescribes punishments, and includes modern forms of forgery, such as tampering with electronic records, ensuring comprehensive protection against fraud.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 336 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 463,465,468,469.
- Introduction of 336 BNS
- What is BNS Section 336 ?
- BNS 336 in Simple Points
- Section 336 BNS Overview
- BNS 336 Punishment
- BNS 336 bailable or not ?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 336
- BNS Section 336 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is BNS Section 336 ?
BNS Section 336 deals with forgery, which refers to creating or altering documents or electronic records with the intent to deceive, harm, or commit fraud. It outlines punishments based on the intent and nature of forgery, such as cheating, causing reputational damage, or financial harm. This section applies to both traditional and digital forgeries, ensuring protection against fraud in personal, financial, and professional contexts.

BNS 336 in Simple Points
Forgery under BNS Section 336 is defined as making a false document or electronic record with the intent to:
- Cause damage or injury to the public or any individual.
- Support a false claim or title.
- Defraud someone into parting with property or entering into a contract.
It also includes creating such records to harm reputations or commit cheating.
BNS 336 :10 Key Points
1. General Forgery
Forgery occurs when a person creates a false document or record to deceive or harm. This includes altering signatures, fabricating records, or using fake documents to support false claims. The punishment for such acts includes imprisonment up to 2 years, a fine, or both. This provision ensures accountability for individuals who attempt to manipulate legal or financial processes through deceit.
2. Forgery for Cheating
If the forged document is used with the intent to cheat, the crime becomes more severe. Examples include falsified contracts or property deeds designed to defraud others of money or property. The punishment can extend to imprisonment for 7 years along with a fine. This provision acts as a deterrent against forgery intended to harm individuals financially.
3. Forgery to Harm Reputation
When forgery is carried out with the intent to harm someone’s reputation or knowing that it could cause such harm, it is treated as a serious offense. For instance, publishing a forged letter to defame someone would fall under this category. The punishment includes imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine. This provision helps safeguard individuals’ reputations from malicious attacks.
4. Inclusion of Electronic Records
BNS Section 336 explicitly includes electronic records, recognizing the growing prevalence of digital forgeries. Tampering with emails, altering PDFs, or using fake digital signatures are punishable under this law. This inclusion ensures the law remains relevant in the modern digital age, addressing crimes that harm individuals or businesses through technology.
5. Classification of Offenses
Forgery offenses are classified based on their intent and impact:
- General forgery is non-cognizable and bailable, meaning police action requires judicial approval, and bail is allowed.
- Forgery for cheating is cognizable and non-bailable, allowing police to arrest without prior approval, with bail subject to court discretion.
- Forgery to harm reputation is cognizable and bailable, reflecting the medium severity of this crime.
Section 336 BNS Overview
Forgery under BNS Section 336 is defined as making a false document or electronic record with the intent to:
- Cause damage or injury to the public or any individual.
- Support a false claim or title.
- Defraud someone into parting with property or entering into a contract.
It also includes creating such records to harm reputations or commit cheating.
BNS Section 336: Forgery – Key Points
1. Definition of Forgery
Forgery refers to the act of creating a false document or electronic record with the intent to deceive, harm, or defraud. This includes making a document appear authentic to support false claims, damage someone’s reputation, or cause financial loss. The intent behind creating such a record is central to proving forgery under the law.
2. Forgery for General Purpose
When someone makes a false document or record with intent to cause damage or support a false claim, it is considered general forgery.
- Punishment: Imprisonment up to 2 years, a fine, or both.
- Non-cognizable: Police cannot arrest without a magistrate’s approval.
- Bailable: Accused has a right to bail.
- Trial by: Magistrate of the first class.
3. Forgery for Cheating
If a forged document is used to cheat someone, it is a severe offense under this section.
- Punishment: Imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine.
- Cognizable: Police can arrest without prior approval.
- Non-bailable: Bail is not guaranteed and depends on court discretion.
- Trial by: Magistrate of the first class.
4. Forgery to Harm Reputation
When forgery is done to harm someone’s reputation, or the person knows it might harm, it is treated seriously.
- Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.
- Cognizable: Police can take direct action.
- Bailable: Accused can seek bail.
- Trial by: Magistrate of the first class.
5. Importance of Intention
The intent to deceive, harm, or commit fraud is critical in proving forgery.
- If the false document is created without malicious intent, it may not qualify as forgery under BNS 336.
- This ensures that individuals are only punished for deliberate acts of forgery.
6. Inclusion of Digital Forgery
BNS 336 includes false electronic records, such as tampered emails, fake digital signatures, or altered PDFs.
- This ensures that digital crimes are treated on par with traditional forgery.
- The section addresses modern challenges in the age of technology.
7. Protection Against Fraud
Forgery laws protect individuals and businesses from fraud by penalizing those who create false documents to induce others to part with property or enter into contracts.
- Examples include forged sale deeds or fake loan agreements.
- The law ensures fair dealings in personal and financial matters.
8. Varying Levels of Punishment
The section provides different punishments based on the severity of the offense:
- Up to 2 years for general forgery.
- Up to 7 years for forgery to cheat.
- Up to 3 years for forgery to harm reputation.
This ensures that penalties are proportional to the harm caused.
9. Dual Application
Forgery under BNS 336 can be used for both criminal and civil cases.
- Criminal: The offender faces imprisonment or fines.
- Civil: The victim can seek compensation for damages caused by the forgery.
10. Classification of Offenses
BNS 336 classifies forgery offenses based on their severity and intent:
- General forgery: Non-cognizable and bailable.
- Forgery for cheating: Cognizable and non-bailable.
- Forgery to harm reputation: Cognizable and bailable.
These classifications help law enforcement and courts address forgery appropriately.
Examples of BNS Section 336
Example 1: Forgery for Financial Gain
Ramesh created a fake property deed and used it to sell land that did not belong to him to Suresh. By doing so, Ramesh defrauded Suresh of ₹10 lakhs. This act falls under forgery for cheating and is punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine.
Example 2: Forgery to Harm Reputation
Priya forged a letter claiming that her colleague, Meera, was involved in unethical activities. She shared the letter with their employer to tarnish Meera’s reputation. This act of forgery with intent to harm reputation can lead to imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.
BNS 336 Punishment
- Punishment:
- General forgery: Imprisonment of up to 2 years, or a fine, or both.
- Forgery for cheating: Imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine.
- Forgery to harm reputation: Imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.
- Fine:
- The fine amount is determined by the court based on the severity of the crime and the harm caused.

BNS 336 bailable or not ?
- General forgery: Bailable offense. The accused can seek bail as a right.
- Forgery for cheating: Non-bailable offense. Bail is granted at the court’s discretion.
- Forgery to harm reputation: Bailable offense. The accused may secure bail.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 336
BNS Section | Offense | Punishment | Bailable/Non-Bailable | Cognizable/Non-Cognizable | Trial By |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
336(1) | General forgery | Up to 2 years imprisonment, or fine, or both | Bailable | Non-cognizable | Magistrate of the first class |
336(2) | Forgery for the purpose of cheating | Up to 7 years imprisonment and fine | Non-bailable | Cognizable | Magistrate of the first class |
336(3) | Forgery to harm reputation | Up to 3 years imprisonment and fine | Bailable | Cognizable | Magistrate of the first class |
BNS Section 336 FAQs
1. What is BNS Section 336 about?
BNS Section 336 focuses on the offense of forgery, which involves creating or altering a document or electronic record with fraudulent intent. It includes acts aimed at causing damage, supporting false claims, cheating, or harming someone’s reputation. This section provides clear definitions and punishments for such fraudulent actions.
2. What are the punishments under BNS Section 336?
The punishments under BNS Section 336 vary based on the intent of forgery:
For forgery aimed at harming someone’s reputation, the punishment is imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.
For general forgery, the punishment is imprisonment up to 2 years, or a fine, or both.
For forgery intended for cheating, the punishment is imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine.
3. Is forgery under BNS Section 336 bailable or not?
The bailability depends on the type of forgery:
Forgery to harm someone’s reputation is a bailable offense.
General forgery is a bailable offense, meaning the accused can secure bail as a right.
Forgery for cheating is a non-bailable offense, and bail is granted at the court’s discretion.
4. What is the classification of offenses under BNS Section 336?
General forgery: Non-cognizable, bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Forgery for cheating: Cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
Forgery to harm reputation: Cognizable, bailable, and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
5. Can forgery include electronic records under BNS Section 336?
Yes, BNS Section 336 explicitly includes false electronic records within the definition of forgery. This ensures that tampering with digital data, emails, or other electronic documents with fraudulent intent is punishable under the law, keeping up with modern technology-related crimes.
6. What is the purpose of BNS Section 336?
The purpose of BNS Section 336 is to deter individuals from committing forgery by imposing strict punishments. It aims to protect the public and individuals from financial, reputational, and personal harm caused by fraudulent documents or electronic records. The section addresses various intents behind forgery, ensuring comprehensive legal action against such offenses.
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