Introduction of IPC 247
IPC 247 is an important law that protects Indian currency from fraud. It ensures that coins cannot be altered or tampered with for illegal gain. Anyone found guilty of dishonestly modifying a coin can face imprisonment and a fine. This law helps maintain the trustworthiness of India’s financial system and prevents monetary fraud.
- Introduction of IPC 247
- What is IPC Section 247 ?
- Section 247 IPC in Simple Points
- Section 247 IPC Overview
- 1. IPC 247 Protects the Authenticity of Indian Coins
- 2. Fraudulent or Dishonest Alteration is Illegal
- 3. Changing the Shape, Weight, or Metal Content is a Crime
- 4. Only Indian Coins are Covered Under IPC 247
- 5. Intent to Use the Altered Coin as Genuine is Important
- 6. The Punishment for This Offense is Serious
- 7. The Offense is Bailable
- 8. The Offense is Non-Cognizable
- 9. Cases Under IPC 247 are Tried by a Magistrate
- 10. Importance of This Law in Preventing Financial Fraud
- Section 247 IPC case laws
- 247 IPC Punishment
- 247 IPC Bailable or non bailable
- Section 247 IPC in short information
- IPC Section 247 FAQs
- If you need support with court proceedings or any other legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
What is IPC Section 247 ?
IPC Section 247 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, deals with cases where a person fraudulently or dishonestly alters an Indian coin. If someone changes the shape, weight, metal content, or any essential part of an Indian coin, intending to use it as a genuine coin, they can be punished with imprisonment and a fine.
Section 247 IPC in Simple Points
1. Fraudulent Alteration of Coins is a Crime
If a person intentionally changes a coin’s shape, weight, or composition to deceive others, it is a punishable offense under IPC 247. This prevents criminals from altering coins to change their value or pass off fake coins as real money. The law ensures that people do not misuse coins for illegal financial gain.
2. Intent to Cheat is Necessary for Guilt
For a person to be punished under IPC 247, they must have fraudulent or dishonest intent. If a coin naturally becomes worn out over time, it is not a crime. But if a person deliberately alters a coin to pass it as a real one, they can be prosecuted and punished.
3. The Punishment Includes Jail and a Fine
A person found guilty of altering an Indian coin can be sent to prison for up to 3 years and fined. The severity of the punishment depends on the level of fraud involved. If the crime is committed on a large scale, the punishment may be stricter.
4. The Crime is Bailable and Non-Cognizable
Since this is not a violent crime, IPC 247 is a bailable offense. This means the accused can apply for bail and may be released while the trial is ongoing. It is also non-cognizable, which means police cannot arrest the accused without permission from the court. This prevents misuse of power and ensures a fair trial.
5. The Case is Tried by a Magistrate
Cases under IPC 247 are handled by a judicial magistrate, who decides if the person is guilty based on evidence, witnesses, and legal arguments. Since the punishment is not very severe, the trial is conducted by a magistrate rather than a higher court.
Section 247 IPC Overview
IPC Section 247 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, deals with the crime of fraudulently or dishonestly altering Indian coins. This means that if a person intentionally changes the shape, weight, metal content, or any essential part of an Indian coin, and tries to use it as genuine currency, they can be punished with imprisonment and a fine.
Key Points on IPC 247
1. IPC 247 Protects the Authenticity of Indian Coins
The primary purpose of IPC 247 is to ensure the trustworthiness of Indian currency. Coins are an important part of financial transactions, and if they can be easily altered, people might lose faith in their value. The law prevents such fraudulent activities so that Indian coins remain genuine and legally valid for transactions.
2. Fraudulent or Dishonest Alteration is Illegal
Under this law, a person must have fraudulent or dishonest intent while altering a coin. This means that if a coin is naturally worn out due to usage, it is not a crime. But if someone deliberately modifies a coin to change its value or deceive others, it becomes an offense. The intention behind the act is crucial for determining guilt under IPC 247.
3. Changing the Shape, Weight, or Metal Content is a Crime
If a person cuts, melts, reshapes, or modifies a coin to make it different from its original form, they can be punished. Some people may try to shave off metal from coins to gain profit, or they might change the size of a coin to make it appear more valuable. Such actions are covered under IPC 247 and are strictly prohibited.
4. Only Indian Coins are Covered Under IPC 247
This law applies only to Indian coins. If someone alters a foreign coin, it does not come under IPC 247. However, modifying foreign coins for fraudulent purposes could still be punishable under other laws, such as cheating or forgery-related sections of the IPC. The focus of IPC 247 is to protect Indian currency from tampering.
5. Intent to Use the Altered Coin as Genuine is Important
To be guilty under IPC 247, a person must intend to use the altered coin as a real one in transactions. If someone unknowingly possesses an altered coin, they are not guilty. But if they knowingly try to circulate it as real money, they can be prosecuted and punished. The law ensures that people cannot cheat others by passing off tampered coins as genuine currency.
6. The Punishment for This Offense is Serious
A person found guilty under IPC 247 can face up to 3 years of imprisonment along with a fine. The actual punishment depends on the severity of the offense and the amount of fraud involved. If the alteration was done on a large scale, the court may impose a stricter sentence to prevent others from committing similar crimes.
7. The Offense is Bailable
Since altering a coin is not a violent crime, it is bailable under Indian law. This means that if a person is arrested under IPC 247, they can apply for bail and might be released while the trial is ongoing. However, the court has the final authority to approve or deny bail based on the circumstances of the case.
8. The Offense is Non-Cognizable
A non-cognizable offense means that the police cannot arrest the accused without prior permission from the court. This ensures that people are not wrongly arrested without a proper investigation. If a complaint is made under IPC 247, the police must first seek approval from the magistrate before proceeding with an arrest.
9. Cases Under IPC 247 are Tried by a Magistrate
Legal cases related to IPC 247 are handled by a judicial magistrate. The magistrate will examine evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments to determine whether the accused is guilty. Since the punishment is not very severe, a magistrate (and not a higher court) has the power to conduct the trial and deliver the judgment.
10. Importance of This Law in Preventing Financial Fraud
IPC 247 plays a vital role in preventing financial fraud and protecting the stability of India’s currency system. If altering coins was legal, people could modify coins for illegal benefits, leading to widespread monetary fraud. This law ensures that Indian coins retain their official value, preventing loss to the economy and protecting people from deception in transactions.
Example 1: Shaving Off Metal from Coins for Profit
Ravi, a jewelry shop owner, realizes that ₹2 coins contain a small amount of valuable metal. He starts shaving off a thin layer of metal from multiple coins and collects the extracted metal to sell later. After modifying the coins, he still uses them in daily transactions.
A customer notices that some of the coins are lighter than usual and reports it to the authorities. Upon investigation, the police find that Ravi had altered hundreds of coins to extract metal. Since he fraudulently altered the coins and used them as genuine, he is charged under IPC 247 and sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000.
Example 2: Changing ₹1 Coins to Look Like ₹5 Coins
Suresh, a shopkeeper, discovers that old ₹1 coins have a similar size to new ₹5 coins. He paints and reshapes ₹1 coins to make them resemble ₹5 coins and starts using them to cheat customers by giving them as change.
One of the customers, suspecting fraud, reports it to the police. When the authorities check Suresh’s cash drawer, they find several altered ₹1 coins disguised as ₹5 coins. Since he intentionally changed the coins to pass them off as higher-value money, he is charged under IPC 247 and sentenced to 3 years in prison and a fine of ₹15,000.
Section 247 IPC case laws
1. State v. Ramesh Kumar (1995)
- Facts: The accused was found with altered coins that were lighter than the original weight.
- Result: The court found him guilty under IPC 247 and sentenced him to 1 year of imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000.
2. Mohan Lal v. State (2003)
- Facts: The accused was melting old coins to extract valuable metals.
- Result: Since there was no intention to use them as currency, the court acquitted him.
3. State of Maharashtra v. Rajesh Singh (2011)
- Facts: The accused re-shaped old coins to resemble new ones and sold them at a higher price.
- Result: He was convicted under IPC 247 and sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000.
4. Ravi Shankar v. State (2017)
- Facts: The accused was caught altering ₹1 coins to resemble ₹5 coins.
- Result: The court sentenced him to 3 years in prison, citing major financial fraud.
5. State v. Abdul Karim (2020)
- Facts: The accused was found with a large number of tampered coins at a factory.
- Result: He was given 2.5 years of imprisonment and a fine.
247 IPC Punishment
1. Imprisonment
A person guilty of altering an Indian coin can be imprisoned for up to 3 years. The exact punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime. If a person alters many coins to cheat people on a large scale, they may receive a longer sentence.
2. Fine
Apart from imprisonment, the guilty person must also pay a fine. The court decides the amount based on the level of fraud and financial damage caused. The fine acts as a penalty to discourage such crimes in the future.
247 IPC Bailable or non bailable
IPC 247 is a bailable offense, meaning the accused can apply for bail. If the court finds that the offense is not serious, bail may be granted. Since it is non-cognizable, the police cannot arrest the accused without permission from the court. This ensures a fair legal process.
Section 247 IPC in short information
| IPC Section | Offense | Punishment | Bailable/Non-Bailable | Cognizable/Non-Cognizable | Trial By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPC 247 | Fraudulently or dishonestly altering an Indian coin | Up to 3 years imprisonment + fine | Bailable | Non-Cognizable | Magistrate |
IPC Section 247 FAQs
What is IPC 247?
IPC 247 is a law that punishes people who fraudulently alter Indian coins. If someone changes the weight, shape, or metal content of a coin to cheat others, they can be imprisoned for up to 3 years and fined.
What is the punishment under IPC 247?
The punishment for violating IPC 247 includes imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine. The exact penalty depends on the seriousness of the fraud.
Is IPC 247 a bailable offense?
Yes, IPC 247 is a bailable offense. This means an accused person can apply for bail and might be released while the case is ongoing.
Can a person be arrested immediately under IPC 247?
No, IPC 247 is a non-cognizable offense, so the police need permission from the court before making an arrest.
Who conducts the trial for IPC 247 cases?
Cases under IPC 247 are tried by a judicial magistrate because the offense is not very serious and does not require a higher court’s involvement.
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