BNS Section 186 — Prohibition of fictitious stamps

Summary

Sub-section (1) sets out the acts that are punishable. Under clause (a), a person who makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses any fictitious stamp for a postal purpose, commits an offence. Under clause (b), a person who has any fictitious stamp in their possession without a lawful excuse commits an offence. Under clause (c), a person who makes, or without a lawful excuse has in their possession, any die, plate, instrument or materials for making a fictitious stamp commits an offence. The punishment for any of these acts is a fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.

Sub-section (2) provides that any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making a fictitious stamp may be seized, and if seized, shall be forfeited.

Sub-section (3) defines the term fictitious stamp. It means any stamp that falsely purports to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile, imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.

Sub-section (4) explains the meaning of the word Government for the purposes of this section and also for sections 178 to 181 (both inclusive) and sections 183 to 185 (both inclusive). When the word Government is used in connection with, or in reference to, any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, it 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.

Official Text

(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.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §263A — Prohibition of fictitious stamps