BNS Section 319 — Cheating by personation

CHAPTER XVII OF OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY — Of cheating

Criminal

Summary

Sub-section (1) defines cheating by personation. A person cheats by personation if they cheat by pretending to be someone else, or by knowingly swapping one person for another, or by saying that they or any other person is someone different from who they or that other person really is.

The Explanation clarifies that the offence applies whether the person being impersonated is a real person or an imaginary one.

Illustration (a): A cheats by pretending to be a certain rich banker who has the same name as A. This is cheating by personation.

Illustration (b): A cheats by pretending to be B, who has died. This is cheating by personation.

Sub-section (2) sets the punishment. Whoever cheats by personation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both.

Official Text

(1) A person is said to cheat by personation if he cheats by pretending to be some other person, or by knowingly substituting one person for or another, or representing that he or any other person is a person other than he or such other person really is.

Explanation.—The offence is committed whether the individual personated is a real or imaginary person.

Illustrations.

(a) A cheats by pretending to be a certain rich banker of the same name. A cheats by personation.

(b) A cheats by pretending to be B, a person who is deceased. A cheats by personation.

(2) Whoever cheats by personation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.

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 (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • 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.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

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