BNS Section 339 — Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine

CHAPTER XVIII OF OFFENCES RELATING TO DOCUMENTS AND TO PROPERTY MARKS

Criminal

Summary

Whoever has in their possession any document or electronic record, knowing that it is forged, and intending that it will be fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine, will be punished. If the document or electronic record is of the type described in section 337 of this Sanhita, the punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to seven years, along with a fine.

If the document is of the type described in section 338, the punishment is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to seven years, along with a fine.

Official Text

Whoever has in his possession any document or electronic record, knowing the same to be forged and intending that the same shall fraudulently or dishonestly be used as genuine, shall, if the document or electronic record is one of the description mentioned in section 337 of this Sanhita, be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if the document is one of the description mentioned in section 338, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description, for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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 (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.80 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • Ravichandran : Appellant/Sole Accused vs State through — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2025) Vol.8 p.966 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • IPC §474 — Having possession of document described in section 337 or section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine